Judge Dismisses Terrorism Charges Against Luigi Mangione in New York

A New York court has dismissed two terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The ruling came during a hearing on September 16, 2025, marking a significant development in the high-profile case.

Terrorism Charges Dismissed

Judge Gregory Carro ruled that the two terrorism charges — first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism and second-degree murder as a crime of terrorism — were legally insufficient. He explained that New York law requires an intent to intimidate or coerce for terrorism charges to apply, which prosecutors had not established in this case.

Mangione’s defense team had argued that terrorism statutes in New York pertain to attacks on multiple civilians rather than the killing of a single individual. The court’s decision aligned with this interpretation.

Murder Charges Still Stand

Despite the dismissal of the terrorism-related counts, Mangione continues to face a charge of second-degree murder in New York State. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. In addition, federal and Pennsylvania state charges remain active against him.

In April 2025, U.S. District Attorney Pam Bondi announced that federal prosecutors intend to pursue the death penalty in the federal case.

Evidence Dispute

Mangione’s lawyers are seeking to suppress evidence seized during his arrest. Authorities confiscated a backpack containing a gun, a loaded magazine, and handwritten writings allegedly belonging to Mangione. The defense contends that the search was warrantless and unlawful.

Case Background and Next Steps

Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024. He was apprehended on December 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a McDonald’s employee reported seeing a masked man matching his description. He was extradited to New York City on December 19, 2024, to face state charges.

The September 16 hearing was his first in five months, with supporters present outside the courthouse. Mangione is scheduled to return to court on December 1, 2025, when Judge Carro will consider the defense’s motion to suppress evidence.