A New York judge has dismissed terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione in the case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s death, while maintaining second-degree murder charges against the defendant.

Judge Gregory Carro ruled that while Mangione’s actions were not ordinary street crime, they did not meet the legal definition of terrorism under New York law. The judge wrote, “There was no evidence presented” that Mangione’s goal was to “intimidate and coerce a civilian population,” a key element in defining an act as terrorism.

Mangione, a 27-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested in December 2024 for the shooting of Thompson outside a New York hotel. Police reports indicate that words associated with insurance claim denials were found written on the ammunition.

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Mangione has attracted a following among those frustrated with the health insurance industry. Supporters have appeared at his court hearings, some wearing green as a symbol of solidarity.

Mangione faces both state and federal charges. His lawyers argue that this dual prosecution amounts to double jeopardy, though Judge Carro deemed it premature to make such a determination. The Manhattan district attorney’s office contends that the cases involve different legal theories and thus do not constitute double jeopardy.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty, describing the killing as “an act of political violence” and a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”

Prosecutors have cited Mangione’s personal writings as evidence of his intentions. These writings reportedly include praise for Ted Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, and musings about rebelling against the health insurance industry.

The defense claims the dual prosecutions create a “legal quagmire,” while prosecutors argue the writings make Mangione’s intentions “explicit.”

This case raises important questions about the legal definition of terrorism and the complexities of dual state and federal prosecutions. As the legal process continues, we will follow developments closely.