Murder and terrorism charges dropped against Luigi Mangione, accused of killing the CEO of United Healthcare.

A Manhattan judge has ruled to dismiss significant charges, including first-degree murder and terrorism, against Luigi Mangione, the individual accused in the high-profile killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The ruling came after State Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro found that the evidence presented by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office was “legally insufficient” for these counts before the grand jury.

This decision represents a pivotal turn in Mangione’s case. While he continues to face a charge of second-degree murder, the dismissal of the more severe charges means he will not face the possibility of life imprisonment without parole in connection with the state charges. The court proceedings took place in a crowded courtroom at 100 Centre Street, where a mix of supporters, predominantly women, gathered, showcasing their solidarity with Mangione. Reports indicate that the defendant has garnered considerable public support, raising over million for his legal defense, a remarkable feat in the context of New York City’s criminal justice system.

Mangione, 27, is alleged to have shot Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown on December 4 while the CEO was arriving for an annual healthcare conference. Prosecutors suggest that Mangione meticulously planned the assassination for several months. Law enforcement officials have indicated that markings on recovered shell casings—reading terms like “deny,” “delay,” and “defend”—point to a motive linked to practices within the healthcare industry, particularly concerning insurance claim denials.

After allegedly fleeing the crime scene on a bicycle, Mangione evaded capture until he was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, over 300 miles away. Following this arrest, he has faced both state and federal charges. In New York, the case is being pursued by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, where Mangione remains charged with second-degree murder and related offenses. At the federal level, he faces charges including murder through the use of a firearm and stalking. Should he be convicted federally, he could potentially face the death penalty, an extraordinary possibility given New York’s historical stance against capital punishment.

Currently, Mangione is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Legal experts anticipate that developments in this case will continue to draw significant public and media attention as it progresses through the judicial system.

This situation remains fluid, and updates to the story will be forthcoming as new information emerges.