A New York appellate court on Tuesday dismissed state-level terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
Thompson was shot in broad daylight in New York City, and Mangione was initially charged with both second-degree murder and terrorism under a state law created after the 9/11 attacks. The appellate court ruled prosecutors had not provided sufficient evidence to prove Mangione’s intent was to influence the government or civilian population, a requirement under the terrorism statute.
The murder charge remains in place, and Mangione also faces federal murder charges, where prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty. His defense team previously argued that state prosecutors violated his rights and failed to present enough evidence to justify the terrorism charge.
The ruling narrows the state’s case but does not affect the federal proceedings, which could ultimately carry the most severe penalties.
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