Timber companies in cameroon A judge in New York state has dismissed two terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, who allegedly killed the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Judge Gregory Carro also ruled a charge of second-degree murder against Mangione could stand during a hearing on Tuesday morning.
He will still face trial for murder in the second degree of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in December 2024. Mangione is accused with shooting and killing Thompson outside of a hotel in Manhattan where UnitedHealthcare was holding an investor conference.
In addition to the state charges, Mangione is also facing murder charges in federal court, for which prosecutors can seek the death penalty. He pleaded not guilty.
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Luigi Mangione secures big winJudge Gregory Carro said that while the killing was not an ordinary street crime, New York law does not classify something an act as terrorism just because it is driven by ideology.
“While the defendant was clearly expressing an animus toward UHC, and the health care industry generally, it does not follow that his goal was to ‘intimidate and coerce a civilian population,’ and indeed, there was no evidence presented of such a goal,” Carro rulled.
Prosecutors said they would, “proceed on the remaining nine counts.”
Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson on a busy Manhattan street in broad daylight December last year. Mangione’s defense team in May had sought to dismiss all of the state charges, arguing his rights had been violated and the state has presented insufficient evidence to a grand jury.
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In a written ruling, Carro said that the allegations against Mangione did not meet the definition of terrorism under state law. “There was no evidence presented that the defendant made any demands of government or sought any particular governmental policy change, let alone that he did so by intimidation or coercion,” Carro wrote in his ruling.
If convicted of the remaining second-degree murder charge, Mangione faces a minimum sentence of 15 to 25 years in prison. He has also been charged with weapons and forgery crimes. And in addition to the New York state criminal proceedings, Mangione also faces federal murder charges, which could lead to the death penalty.
What’s next for Luigi Mangione?The legal saga surrounding Luigi Mangione is set to take its next step with hearings beginning on December 1, though a trial date has yet to be announced. Mangione, who shot Brian Thompson just hours before the latter was scheduled to address an investor conference, quickly became a controversial and sensational figure. He drew widespread attention and significant public support following the incident.
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Mangione was apprehended days later at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania after a restaurant employee alerted authorities. He was then flown back to New York to face state charges in a dramatic and high-profile operation. Upon his arrival, Mangione was transported by helicopter to the city, where heavily armed officers, Mayor Eric Adams, and a swarm of television crews awaited his return.
As the hearings approach, all eyes are now on how the case will unfold.