State terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , were dismissed on Tuesday, as he appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing in New York City.
Mangione walked into Manhattan Criminal Court, shackled and wearing tan prison clothing, shortly before 9:30 a.m. for the hearing on several pre-trial motions Members of the press and the public filled the courtroom, while crowds of his supporters held signs and chanted outside.
When he entered, he seemed to look briefly at the rows of the public in the back, then stared straight ahead. As he left, he raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment—once at the first row of the defense in the gallery, and then again as he walked past the press and public.
His supporters were later seen following his attorneys down the street as they left court.
Terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione dismissed
The 27-year-old faces both state and federal charges in the killing of Thompson, a husband and father of two , last December outside a Manhattan hotel . The 11 state charges included murder and terrorism , and the federal ones carry the possibility of the death penalty .
His lawyers have been fighting to get the state charges dismissed entirely, arguing that the parallel cases amount to double jeopardy. In his written decision Tuesday, Judge Gregory Carro ruled against their request.
The defense had also asked for the two terrorism charges to be dropped , arguing they do not apply. Prosecutors, however, alleged Mangione's intent was to "violently broadcast a" social and political message to the general public.
The judge ruled to dismiss both terrorism charges -- murder in the first degree in furtherance of an act of terrorism and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism -- writing they were "legally insufficient."
"There was no evidence presented of a desire to terrorize the public, inspire widespread fear, engage in a broader campaign of violence, or to conspire with organized terrorist groups," Carro wrote. "Here, the crime - the heinous, but targeted and discrete killing of one person -- is very different from the examples of terrorism set forth in the statute."
Mangione still faces 9 other state charges
Mangione will still face second-degree murder and eight weapons-related charges in the state case. If convicted of the top count, it carries a sentence of 25 years to life. He has pleaded not guilty.
"We respect the Court's decision and will proceed on the remaining nine counts, including Murder in the Second Degree," said the Manhattan District Attorney's office in a statement after the ruling.
The defense also wants to suppress evidence from Mangione's backpack , including a gun and notebook , claiming it was obtained without a search warrant Prosecutors deny the allegations and have asked the judge to force Mangione's lawyers to say whether they will pursue an insanity defense or introduce psychiatric evidence.
The judge did not rule on either of those issues Tuesday, but said hearings in the case will begin on December 1. The hearings will determine whether statements he made to police and the physical evidence they obtained will be allowed and whether a non-witness can testify.
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