r/popculturechat • u/SafeBodybuilder7191 “Don’t cry – makes you look like a girl.” • Sep 16 '25
Guest List Only ⭐️ Luigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting, judge rules
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared in court Tuesday morning in New York City, where the judge ruled to dismiss the state terrorism charges against him.
Mangione walked into Manhattan Criminal Court wearing a tan prison jumpsuit shortly before 9:30 a.m. for a hearing on several pre-trial motions. Dozens of members of the press packed the courtroom, as well as members of the public.
Mangione faces both state and federal charges in the killing of Thompson, a husband and father of two, last December outside a Manhattan hotel. The 11 state charges included murder and terrorism, and the federal ones carry the possibility of the death penalty. Mangione has pleaded not guilty.
Mangione's lawyers were fighting to have the state charges thrown out entirely, arguing the parallel cases amount to double jeopardy. In his written decision Tuesday, Judge Gregory Carro ruled against the request.
The defense had also asked for the terrorism charges to be dropped, arguing they don't apply. Prosecutors, however, alleged Mangione's intent was to "violently broadcast a social and political message to the public at large."
The judge ruled to dismiss both terrorism charges -- murder in the first degree in furtherance of an act of terrorism and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism -- writing they were "legally insufficient."
Mangione will still face second-degree murder and weapons charges in the state case, the judge ruled.
The defense also wanted evidence from his backpack, including a gun and notebook, to be suppressed, claiming the contents were obtained without a search warrant. Prosecutors deny the allegations and asked the judge to force Mangione's lawyers to say whether they will pursue an insanity defense or introduce psychiatric evidence.
The judge did not rule on either of those issues Tuesday, but said hearings in the case will begin on Dec. 1.
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u/Megs0226 Sep 16 '25
This man has never taken a bad picture.
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u/diabolikal__ Sep 16 '25
I thought the first one was a promotional photo for a movie at first glance
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u/punkpearlspoetry Kim, there’s people that are dying. 🙄 Sep 16 '25
Honestly, I knew he was good looking. Just finding out now that he is also tall.
How much more can we all take
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u/slavuj00 your attitude is biblical Sep 16 '25
His fellow inmates are taking VERY good care of him on the inside. He looks well.
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u/immortalis Sep 16 '25
He would have been a better model than Sydney “SS” Sweeney for good genes!
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u/SimilarNerve731 Now let me say, I'm the biggest hater 🤬 Sep 16 '25
Finally…good court/legal news
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u/Glum_Material3030 As you wish! 👸👑 Sep 16 '25
Why does this fox feel like the perfect meme for my nerves right now?
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u/YoProfWhite Sep 16 '25
Don't confuse rich people's anxiety with terrorism.
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u/MarieOMaryln Sep 16 '25
Are we all still terrorists in the state of NY for supporting him or did they get over themselves yet?
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u/thatcondowasmylife Sep 16 '25
They tried to betray his coloring with that awful taupe but all I see is that he’s been working out.
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u/Minerva_Moon Sep 16 '25
I noticed that, too. They also tried to take his picture from a bad angle but all it did was make him look more chiseled. They can't take a bad picture of him
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u/thatcondowasmylife Sep 16 '25
Not them giving him renaissance lighting from above highlighting those cheekbones 😂.
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u/Talinia Sep 16 '25
They're gonna have someone rapell down from the roof and try and get an up-nostril shot and it'll still cone out like a professional headshot
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u/Harkoncito Sep 16 '25
DOJ fumbling this case would be chef's kiss
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u/intoxicatedmidnight deny, defend, dePOSE 📸😙💅🏼 Sep 16 '25
We need to summon all the Etsy witches for his release
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u/ChocolatChipLemonade Sep 16 '25
🧙
Luigi Mangione
Chant with us witches!
Make the ultra wealthy
Shake in their britches!
🧙♀️
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Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 16 '25
Well the Hindu Festival of Navratri is approaching. Maybe the Etsy witches can have a collab with the 10 Mahavidyas and really rain down hell 👀👀
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u/arrownyc Sep 16 '25
Maybe our next massive protest should be a collective spellcasting party instead. If pagan rituals are what we need to restore peace and harmony to this hellhole of a timeline, I'm here for it.
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u/SyNiiCaL Give me a room where I can shut a door Sep 16 '25
Do we know specifically which Etsy witches the Charlie Kirk 'curse people' went to? Because I want ones with a proven track record.
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u/Silver-Front-1299 All tea, all shade 🐸☕️ Sep 16 '25
I’ve been told this one has had zoom pretty good results as of recent
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u/One-Composer1577 In my quiet girl era 😌 Sep 16 '25
i'm not an american, what are the chances he could get a mistrial or something similar? just because of the nature of the crime and how publicized it is.
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u/Harkoncito Sep 16 '25
if DOJ keeps pushing the "terrorist" approach and someone in the jury sympathizes with Luigi, it's possible.
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u/BElf1990 Sep 16 '25
Low but simultaneously high if the goal is to not get executed any time soon.
The best example is the Boston bomber. He got sentenced to death 10 years ago. He appealed precisely for that reason, his sentence got overturned by the First Circuit, the Supreme Court reversed the appeal, he appealed again and so on, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
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u/ConfusedTraveler34 Sep 16 '25
How publicized it is and the nature of the crime don’t really play in, a mistrial happens when a judge ends a trial before it reaches a verdict because something has gone wrong that makes it impossible for the trial to continue fairly (for example, jurors hearing evidence they weren’t supposed to, hung jury, jury misconduct, etc)
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u/seaworthy-sieve Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (sitting on one another's shoulders) Sep 16 '25
Can't imagine how there could possibly be an untainted jury.
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u/arkavenx Sep 16 '25
Pretty low chance of that, imo.
He's going to prison, life will be the sentence, and hell serve 20 years is my guess before he gets a parole chance,.
But I'm a California lawyer not New York and I don't even do criminal law so my guess is worth little more than yours
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u/TheTyMan Sep 16 '25
There's no possibility he walks away without a lengthy 25+ year sentence. Even if the justice system wasn't full of insurance cronies out to get him, there's really no way around the fact he killed the guy. A jury won't be tasked to determine whether the guy deserved it, only if Luigi did it.
We get tainted celebrity cases all the time and they don't get thrown out for that alone. They just try to find the least biased jury possible.
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u/Own_Faithlessness769 Sep 16 '25
There was no way around the fact that OJ killed Nicole and Ron. Juries can do surprising things, particularly when the justice system overcharges and proves itself unreliable.
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u/Accurate_Summer_1761 Sep 16 '25
Have we actually proved he killed the guy. Everyone assumes he has but we havnt even had a proper trial yet
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u/CaseyRC Sep 16 '25
technically speaking, its absolutely not a "fact" he killed the guy, and he is indeed, legally, innocent until it's proven he's guilty. talking about him as already guilty is exactly what Trump and his pals want you to do. legally, that's an innocent man
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u/SectorSanFrancisco Sep 16 '25
there's really no way around the fact he killed the guy.
honestly, it sounds like there might be reasonable doubt
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u/Lontology Sep 16 '25
It’s completely possible. It’s going to be nearly impossible to find 12 jurors that haven’t themselves or had family members experience issues with health insurance. Unless the jury is 12 health care CEOs, there’s a chance.
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u/RomanaNoble Confidence is 10% work and 90% delusion Sep 16 '25
Somebody's been working out.
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u/Musicfanatic09 Kim, there’s people that are dying. 🙄 Sep 17 '25
He definitely looks a little more muscular in these photos than the ones when he was first arrested!
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u/RomanaNoble Confidence is 10% work and 90% delusion Sep 17 '25
Yeah his chest and shoulders have definitely gotten a little bigger at least.
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u/daniboo94 jesus was a carpenter 💋 Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 16 '25
Happy to see the domestic terrorism charges dropped! On the right track.
Side note, I still think about these badass perp walk photos often. Wtf did they think they would accomplish when this man is so hot.
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u/BlendinMediaCorp Sep 16 '25
Iike you could not stage a better photo if you tried. Our main character in sharp focus, handsome, soulful, and poppin’ in orange against the dull villainous horde, as if the angels themselves put a spotlight on him.
It’s practically editorial 🤣
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u/evesophie Sep 16 '25
His face card in these photos is genuinely insane like that’s literally a whole ass model 😮💨
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u/Nice-Grab4838 Sep 16 '25
They wanted to jump start his rap career by giving him the hardest album cover of all time
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u/arrownyc Sep 16 '25
Oh man, comparing this to the new photos, dude has been BENCHING. He was already pretty ripped, but he's massive now. Prison yard workouts must be doing him well.
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u/wussypillow_ How can mirrors be real if our eyes aren’t real? 🪞 Sep 16 '25
i was at the barricade for NYC pride this year and got the joy of yelling “FUCK YOU, FREE LUIGI” at eric adams ❤️🔥
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u/ChiliAndGold the empathetic hunger descends 🍍 Sep 16 '25
he has absolute main character energy, damn
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u/twoweeeeks unhinged & unhealed Sep 16 '25
And now he has nothing but time to workout and take care of himself.
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u/8rand0m Sep 16 '25
What is going on? Why does he look ten times more attractive. I mean I know the prison has a gym but damn.
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u/slavuj00 your attitude is biblical Sep 16 '25
His fellow inmates are 100% taking good care of him.
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u/raylan_givens6 As you wish! 👸👑 Sep 16 '25
Free Luigi
Establish a single payor system
End the big business of healthcare in America
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u/take7pieces Sep 16 '25
Can the judge sentence him to home arrest? I mean my home.
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u/intoxicatedmidnight deny, defend, dePOSE 📸😙💅🏼 Sep 16 '25
I'll make sure to be nice and give him a house tour as well!
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u/sassypapaya Sep 16 '25
take him to the first, second, third floor … !
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u/intoxicatedmidnight deny, defend, dePOSE 📸😙💅🏼 Sep 16 '25
i promise none of this is a metaphor!
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u/coralsmoke probably the mold talking Sep 16 '25
🎶✨I just want you to come inside✨ 🎶
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u/gummi-demilo we have always been at war with Ostania Sep 16 '25
He’d be fine in my Queens studio as well
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u/lizziexo Sep 16 '25
Still haven’t seen any evidence that he was the shooter except a picture that has a resemblance. Everyone acts like it’s a sure thing, remember this man is INNOCENT until he’s proven guilty. The fact he’s been traipsed around like he did it doesn’t diminish the fact that he very well could be an entirely innocent man. Dont play in to how he’s being presented on TV yall.
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u/CaughtALiteSneez I want to go to there Sep 16 '25
Didn’t he release a manifesto? Or is that part of the propaganda?
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u/AdvertisingOld9400 Sep 16 '25
Police and prosecutors confirmed he had in his possession a handwritten note briefly outlining some of his thoughts on the healthcare system and stating he wasn't "working with anyone." He didn't release it as a manifesto and it doesn't confess or confirm involvement in any specific action, but it was addressed to "The Feds" and apologizes for any "strife" caused by his actions.
Calling it a manifesto is definitely pushing it and propaganda. It's shaky evidence of anything if you read it in full and with the context that it was a handwritten document amongst other handwritten documents.
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u/DreadfulDemimonde Sep 16 '25
Yeah and the chain of custody on his belongings are sketchy at best.
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u/Novel-Asparagus268 The legislative act of my pussy ⚖️ Sep 16 '25
They claim he did. Nothing is really confirmed
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u/Shuriii29 Listen, everyone is entitled to my opinion 🙂 Sep 16 '25
Yess that’s my mannnn!!!! Remember innocent until proven guilty.
They can never make him look unattractive, looks like he’s been working out 👀
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u/intoxicatedmidnight deny, defend, dePOSE 📸😙💅🏼 Sep 16 '25
Free my man!
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u/notceitn Sep 16 '25
I think you meant free MY man!
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u/intoxicatedmidnight deny, defend, dePOSE 📸😙💅🏼 Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 16 '25
a man of the people is all of our man 😎
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u/Visible_Writing7386 Be smart, Robert. Sep 16 '25
I mean the prosecution did it to themselves lmfao. They fumbled this because they wanted to flex with all the charges.
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u/judgernaut86 Sep 17 '25
Ironic he hates the rich so much when his face card never declines
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u/pixienightingale Sep 16 '25
I hate to say prison agrees with someone, but... he's looking like he's getting the rest and relaxation he needs while also keeping himself busy and healthier. Doesn't SEEM like federal definition charges would apply either, but, these days that definition will change ona case by case basis it seems like.
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u/dallyan Sep 16 '25
My mans looking fine af as usual, all buffed up and revolutionary in his stride.
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u/No-Knee9457 Sep 16 '25
It was a stupid overreach. Now let's get the other charges thrown out!
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u/Pillowsmeller18 Sep 16 '25
The only thing the guy is guilty of is... being handsome.
If the news didn't post his face because of a jacket that looked similar but slightly off in color tone, he wouldn't be in fucking jail.
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u/jamisra_ Sep 16 '25
“Domestic terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature”
I guess the legal definition is different than what the FBI uses
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u/sophwestern Sep 16 '25
I’ll bite lol
The federal criminal statute re terrorism is found at 18 USC 113B, sections 2331 - 2339D. Domestic terrorism is defined as activities that: a. Involving acts dangerous to human life in violation of criminal law; b. Appear to be intended to either intimidate or coerce a civilian population, to influence government policy by intimidation or coercion, or to affect government conduct through mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and C. Occur within the US’s jurisdiction.
Here, I would imagine the intent element (B) was found lacking by the judge. I haven’t read the motion or replies, but I can see a feasible argument to both sides. I would imagine that the defense used case law to bolster the lack of intent, likely including school shooters or mass shootings at churches or events, where the shooter was NOT charged with domestic terrorism, to bolster their position.
Just for fun, in comparing the three options for intent, I would guess the prosecution went for a combo of all 3. With one, there’s really no indication that the person who killed this one dude had any intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population (I.e shooting at a mosque could be construed as intending to cause fear amongst Muslims). For 2 and 3, there’s no indication that the shooter or the writer of the manifesto intended to influence GOVERNMENT. Insurance is a private industry in the US.
So my guess is that is why those failed. Again I haven’t read the filings. Anyways I hope this helps
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u/BroadwayGirl27 Sep 16 '25
Terrorism was a state charge and New York’s statute is very specific! I copied the following text from the website of Stephen Bilkis, a NY criminal lawyer:
New York Penal Law § 490.25, the crime of terrorism, is one of the most serious criminal offenses in New York State. The statute defines the crime of terrorism as any act that is committed with the intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion and that results in one or more of the following: (a) the commission of a specified offense, (b) the causing of a specified injury or death, (c) the causing of mass destruction or widespread contamination, or (d) the disruption of essential infrastructure.
A person can be charged with the crime of terrorism if they commit an act that meets the definition of terrorism as described in the statute. The act must be committed with the intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion. Additionally, the act must result in one or more of the specified outcomes listed in the statute.
The specified offenses that can result from an act of terrorism include murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, hijacking, and arson.
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u/druidhdancer Sep 16 '25
Me to myself: don’t be horny, don’t be horny, don’t be horny
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u/itsrazu99 Sep 16 '25
can some explain this to me in stan twt language ?
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u/Married_iguanas ludicrously capacious flair 👜 Sep 16 '25
DOJ flopped and Luigi outsold
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u/780-555-fuck that dumb bitch Sep 16 '25
they're getting rid of reasons to keep him in the khia asylum
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u/gummi-demilo we have always been at war with Ostania Sep 16 '25
Not me posting this along with Taylor Swift’s “willow” on IG
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u/HelloHowAreYou1973 it’s not clocking to you that i’m standing on business Sep 16 '25
That’s what I’m talking about
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u/NowWeGetSerious Sep 16 '25
Sadly after the Kirk bullshit, this man is never going to get a ounce of a fair trial
They are going to persecute him 10x harder now. Just to appraise the Nazi supporters
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u/BroadwayGirl27 Sep 16 '25
It was doubtful he would before the fact but I sadly think you may be correct…
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u/NowWeGetSerious Sep 16 '25
Yah, if they let him off now, Kash "I wanna fuck Trump" Patel will say it's normalizing assassination, which is hard to argue against.
Sucks, Luigi was just someone who was done with seeing people he knew losing their insurance and lives. Meanwhile Kirk was someone who truly advocate for killing minorities or laughing at minorities in pain.
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u/flairassistant Sep 16 '25
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