(The Center Square) – Luigi Mangione will not be facing terrorism charges for the December murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Judge Brian Carro issued a statement, which was presented in court. It was Mangione’s first appearance in months with the case yet to go to trial. Amongst those in the courtroom were rows of supporters.
“While the defendant was clearly expressing an animus toward UHC, and the health care industry generally, it does not follow that his goal was to ‘intimidate and coerce a civilian population,’ and indeed, there was no evidence presented of such a goal,” wrote Carro.
Mangione is also facing federal charges and charges in Pennsylvania, where he was apprehended, for forgery, possession of an instrument of a crime and giving a false ID to an officer.
His defense team has argued that navigating so many prosecutions simultaneously is “untenable.” His court appearance in Pennsylvania is scheduled for November, and his next hearing in Manhattan is scheduled for December.
