On Sept. 16, terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione were dismissed by a New York judge who found the evidence behind the charges “legally insignificant.” This has removed the two top charges for his state case while also removing the possibility of a life sentence with no parole. This is his first court since April this year.
Gregory Carro, the judge on this case, stated that though the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brain Thompson was clearly premeditated it cannot be deemed terrorism just because there was a motive based in ideology. According to the New York state terrorism laws, terrorism must be an act committed with the intention of intimidating the civilian population or coercing change in government policy. Carro did not find significant evidence for either.
Mangione is still facing nine counts including second degree murder. This charge has the potential of 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He still faces the possibility of the death penalty from his count of using a firearm to commit murder.
As of Sept. 20, Mangione’s defense attorney is fighting to remove the possibility of the death penalty due to a “torrent of prejudice from multiple public officials.” The defense attorney has also pointed to multiple comments made by Attorney General Pam Bondi stating that the death penalty decision was based on “politics and not merit.”
During a press release in April, Attorney General Bondi stated the killing of Brian Thompson was an act of political violence. Mangione’s defense attorney argues this stating that Thompson had no known political affiliation and was not a politician or an activist.
Mangione’s next state court hearing will be Dec. 1 only days ahead of when he is due in federal court. He has pleaded not guilty to his four federal charges.
