2 murder charges against Mangione tossed

Post Reply New Topic

A judge dismissed two murder charges related to acts of terrorism as Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, made his first Manhattan courtroom appearance in five months on Tuesday.

Judge Gregory Carro tossed out the most severe charge, first-degree murder, accusing Mangione of murder as a crime of terrorism.

The judge said the evidence presented to the grand jury was insufficient to support the terrorism charge.

Prosecutors argued Mangione’s actions intimidated or coerced employees of UnitedHealthcare, but Carro rejected the argument those fears are enough to justify a terrorism charge.

Carro also tossed a second-degree murder charge, related to killing as an act of terrorism.

The rest of the indictment remains, with the judge refusing to dismiss another second-degree murder charge, to which the accused killer has pleaded not guilty.

In addition to second-degree murder, Mangione will be tried in state court on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree.

During his appearance on Tuesday, Mangione wore shackles and beige jail garb over a brown T-shirt. He did not speak during the brief hearing.

Three rows of supporters for Mangione were present at the hearing.