On Tuesday (September 16), the New York judge rejected the charges of terrorism against Luigi Mangione in killing the General Director of Unitedhealthcare Brian Thompson, but maintained the accusation of the second instance murder.
In a written decision, Judge Gregory Carro explained that while Mangione’s crime was not a common street crime, the law in New York does not cut an act as terrorism just because it is ideologically motivated.
“While the defendant clearly expressed the animus against the UHC and the health industry in general, it does not follow that his goal was to” intimidate and force the civilian population “, and in fact there was no evidence of such a goal,” Carro wrote.
The judge also noted that there was no lack of evidence that Mangione intended to influence government policy by intimidation or coercion – the required element for terrorist accusations. Carro stressed that the federal prosecutors decided not to use the charges of terrorism, despite the Federal Law serving as a model of state status.
A second -grade murder fee
Despite the rejection of the allegations of terrorism, the judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the murder of the second instance.
“There was sufficient evidence that Mangione murdered Brian Thompson in a predicted and calculated design,” Carro said.
The office of the district prosecutor on Manhattan Alvin Bragg said: “We respect the court’s decision and continue the remaining nine numbers.”
The court appearance and supporters
Mangione appeared in court beige prison clothing, handcuffs and affected and spoke briefly to its lawyer. He looked in a good spirit and lifted his eyebrows at the supporters of the sitting in the gallery.
27 -year -old Ivy League graduate received a cult subsequent from the critics of the health insurance industry. Many supporters participated in Tuesday’s hearing, some dressed in green as Mario Bros Luigi and others wore T -shirts “Luigi”. Outside the courthouse, supporters cheered when the reports of the released charges of terrorism were violated.
Case
Mangione confessed that he confessed to multiple murders, including murder as a terrorist act, on 4 December 2024. Tracking shots showed a masked shooter who shot Thompson in New York Hilton Midtown. Investigators noted that the ammunition transmitted phrases such as “delay”, “Deny” and “settling”, referring to insurance procedures.
Mangione was arrested five days later in Altoon in Pennsylvania and has since held in Brooklyn federal prison.
The argument of a double threat rejected
Mangione attorneys claimed that state and federal prosecution could be a double threat. Carro refused the argument and said it would be premature. Bragg’s office emphasized that cases relate to various legal theories and did not go to court.
The diaries and writings
The prosecutors quoted Mangione’s hand -written diary as evidence for charges of terrorism. The daily referred to the rebel against the “deadly, greed cardel of health insurance” and appreciated Kaczynski, Unabomber. Mangione reportedly wrote a confession and said, “It must have been done.”
Carproc criticized the focus on the sentence “Revolutionary anarchism”, wrote: “Not only stretches the import of two -word phrases beyond what he can carry, but ignores other, more explicit excerpts from the accused’s files, stating that his goal is to spread” message “and” win public support “.
The premium hearing is scheduled for 1 December. The fee for the murder of the second degree carries a potential sentence of 15 years to live, with the capacity to release after 25 years.
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