State Terrorism Charges Against Luigi Mangione Are Dismissed

http://archive.today/2025.09.16-140359/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/nyregion/luigi-mangione-state-terrrorism-charges-dismissed.html

State terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the defendant in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive last year, were dismissed on Tuesday, including a first-degree murder count that could have landed him in prison for the rest of his life.

The judge overseeing the case, Gregory Carro, said he had found the evidence behind the charges “legally insufficient.” Mr. Mangione, 27, is still charged with second-degree murder and that case is expected to proceed, though no trial date has been set.

While some states define first-degree murder as a premeditated killing, New York requires an additional aggravating circumstance, one of which is terrorism. Others include torture and killing a witness or law officer.

New York law requires that prosecutors who charge a defendant with terrorism show that the person attempted to intimidate a civilian population, or influence government policy or conduct. Judge Carro said that prosecutors had failed to show that Mr. Mangione sought to do either of those things.

Prosecutors had also charged Mr. Mangione with a second-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, one of the counts that was dropped, and another count of second-degree murder. He faces weapons charges as well.

Mr. Mangione is facing prosecution in two states and in three courts. In addition to the Manhattan state charges, he is also charged in federal court, including an accusation for which prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty. He also faces charges in Pennsylvania, where he was caught.

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