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A New York state judge has dismissed two terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson.
At a short hearing on Tuesday, Judge Gregory Carro said the evidence for the terrorism counts was “legally insufficient”, but that Mangione could go to trial on other counts, including second-degree murder.
He said the next hearing in the case would be on December 1.
Supporters of Mangione attended the hearing, wearing T-shirts including one in black with a “Free Luigi” slogan in white letters. Others marched outside with handmade banners bearing messages of support for the 27-year-old Ivy League graduate.
Mangione appeared in court with his wrists and ankles chained, wearing beige prison clothes.
The hearing was Mangione’s first appearance in the state court since February, and was the latest step in a high-profile case that has gripped many in the US and around the world.
Thompson was fatally shot outside a midtown New York City hotel on December 4.
Mangione’s case became a cause célèbre for many in the US, attracting support from some of those frustrated with America’s healthcare system.
“While there is no doubt that the crime at issue here is not ordinary ‘street crime’, it does not follow that all non-street crimes were meant to be included within the reach of the terrorism statute,” the judge wrote in his decision.
The state charges carry a maximum of life in prison. Mangione also faces a separate federal case, in which attorney-general Pam Bondi has directed prosecutors to push for the death penalty. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.
Mangione’s lawyers had argued that the parallel cases amounted to double jeopardy, and that testifying in the state case could prejudice him during the federal trial, but the judge rejected these arguments.
The counts that were dismissed on Tuesday relate to murder as an act of terrorism. Mangione’s state case will proceed on other counts, including second-degree murder and weapon possession.
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