A judge dismissed two state terrorism charges against alleged Midtown assassin Luigi Mangione on Tuesday in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December.
Mangione remains charged with first-degree murder in the execution of Thompson outside a Hilton Hotel on West 52nd Street on the morning of Dec. 4, 2024 in a homicide case that captivated the nation.
Tuesday’s ruling came amid a media circus at the New York County Criminal Court, where dozens of rabid fans of the photogenic alleged killer camped out overnight waiting to catch a glimpse of him.
Mangione was marched into a courtroom on the 13th floor of 100 Centre St. at around 9:30 a.m. He was dressed in khaki prison garb with his ankles shackled and his hands cuffed in front of him.
He did not respond to amNewYork when asked how he is faring behind bars before facing Judge Gregory Carro, who would subsequently throw out the state terrorism charges, which were first-degree murder as a crime of terrorism and second-degree murder related to killing as an act of terrorism.
During the brief court appearance, Mangione could be seen cupping a pencil in both of his cuffed hands and scribbling on a notepad.
Meanwhile, dozens of adoring fans lined the courtroom and the street outside, championing the accused killer as an icon in a culture war.
“Luigi represents our need for health care reform in this country. We deserve health care in this country. And what’s happening right now is a glaring war — it’s a culture war, and he is a casualty of a culture war,” Aellana Boyer told amNewYork. ”I don’t know if he’s innocent or guilty. I think someone dying for the culture war is terrible, but I believe in health care as a human right.”
Abril Rios waited overnight and could be seen wearing a shirt reading “Free Luigi.” She told amNewYork that she also sees Mangione as a symbol combating the commercialization of healthcare.
“I think our health care system is broken. I want to see my generation have a bit more of a voice,” Rios said. ”I support the movement. I support this community.”
Many critics have rebuked this mindset, pointing out that Thompson was a human being and a family man who was executed on a street. Still, that did not stop fans from cheering when they heard the news that those charges had been dropped.
Mangione will continue to face a slew of both state and federal charges, including second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and more.
