Luigi Mangione Lawyer Pushes Back as Judge Drops Terrorism Charges

A New York judge has dismissed state terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione. The 27-year-old is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan last year. He still faces state murder charges and a federal death penalty case.

The ruling was handed down in Manhattan on Tuesday. Judge Gregory Carro said that while the act was violent, it did not meet the strict legal standard of terrorism under New York law. Mangione’s lawyers had asked the court to rule that the state and federal charges amounted to double jeopardy, but the judge rejected that argument.

Mangione’s Lawyers Challenge the Case

Mangione’s lawyers argued that their client was being unfairly prosecuted under two separate systems. They said the overlapping charges could violate his constitutional rights. But Judge Carro ruled that it was too early to decide on that claim. He stated that the law requires proof of intent to “intimidate and coerce a civilian population” for terrorism charges, which was not shown.

According to court filings reviewed by Reuters and the Associated Press, prosecutors had quoted from Mangione’s handwritten diary. In those pages, he expressed anger at the health insurance industry and praised the Unabomber. The state argued that his writings showed intent to target a broader group. The judge disagreed, ruling that ideological motive alone does not make a crime terrorism under state law.

Ongoing Murder and Federal Death Penalty Charges

Mangione still faces second-degree murder charges in New York. If convicted, he could receive a life sentence. At the same time, federal prosecutors are pursuing a separate case. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed them to seek the death penalty, calling the killing an “act of political violence” and a “cold-blooded assassination.”

The federal case focuses on allegations that Mangione stalked Thompson before the shooting. It does not involve terrorism counts. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He remains held at a Brooklyn federal jail, the same facility where other high-profile detainees are kept.

Broader Reactions and Legal Impact

Mangione’s arrest has sparked attention far beyond the courtroom. Some supporters have framed him as a symbol of frustration with the American health insurance industry. Protesters wearing “Free Luigi” shirts were seen entering the courthouse. Prosecutors, meanwhile, continue to argue that his writings reveal a clear intent to carry out a targeted killing.

Legal experts say the dismissal of terrorism charges narrows the case but does not lessen the severity of the remaining counts. The murder charge and the federal prosecution still carry the possibility of the harshest penalties. The trial process is expected to stretch on for months, with further hearings scheduled later this year.

Mangione’s lawyer will now prepare to fight both the state murder case and the federal death penalty trial. The court battle is likely to be long and complex, with major implications for how ideology is treated in violent crime cases.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is Luigi Mangione’s lawyer?

His defense team has not been named publicly in detail, but court reports show he is represented by appointed criminal defense attorneys in New York.

Q2: What charges were dismissed?

A New York judge dismissed the state terrorism charges. The court ruled that the evidence did not prove intent to intimidate a wider civilian population.

Q3: What charges does Mangione still face?

He still faces state second-degree murder charges and a separate federal death penalty prosecution. He has pleaded not guilty to both.

Q4: Why did prosecutors cite his diary?

Prosecutors said his writings showed anger at the health insurance industry and intent to target executives. They argued this proved ideology, but the judge disagreed.

Q5: What is next in the case?

The state murder trial and the federal death penalty case will move forward. More hearings are expected later this year in Manhattan courts.