Terrorism Charges Dropped Against Luigi Mangione

A New York judge has dismissed the terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the suspected murderer of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, during his pretrial hearing on Tuesday.

The two charges of “murder in the first degree in furtherance of an act of terrorism” and “murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism” were deemed to be “legally insignificant,” as the killing did not fit many of the qualifications for terrorism, Judge Gregory Carro determined.

Nine charges remain against Mangione, including one second-degree murder charge and several others involving weapons in New York state’s case. He continues to plead not guilty.

Attempts were made to have Mangione’s case dropped, arguing that trying the 27-year-old in both state and federal court could be classified as double jeopardy — two different prosecutions against the same individual for the same offence. However, referring to a preceding Supreme Court case, Mangione’s two trials were not in violation of double jeopardy.

Mangione still faces the possibility of 25 years to life if found guilty for Thompson’s murder.

Hearings on Mangione’s other charges begin on Dec. 1 later this year.