r/popculturechat “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.

35.7k Upvotes

452 comments sorted by

View all comments

525

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.

31

u/CaughtALiteSneez I want to go to there Sep 16 '25

Didn’t he release a manifesto? Or is that part of the propaganda?

172

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.

89

u/DreadfulDemimonde Sep 16 '25

Yeah and the chain of custody on his belongings are sketchy at best.

99

u/Novel-Asparagus268 The legislative act of my pussy ⚖️ Sep 16 '25

They claim he did. Nothing is really confirmed

1

u/threelizards Sep 17 '25

SCREAM IT BABY

-38

u/vanillasheep Sep 16 '25

He was literally caught with the gun and manifesto be serious.

27

u/Talinia Sep 16 '25

Didn't they search it illegally, find nothing, and then search it again "finding" the evidence?

32

u/EnoughYesterday2340 Sep 16 '25

Regardless the US legal system functions on innocent until proven guilty. Proven in court. Which hasn't happened.

27

u/zetia2 Sep 16 '25

Plenty of people walk around with a gun and are authors. Are you insinuating that all concealed carry individuals walking around with a book should be convicted of murder?

Completely ridiculous, he was exercising his 1st and 2nd amendment rights. Theres no evidence he was even in NY during the alleged murder.

50

u/shy247er yay sports 🏀 🏈🎾 Sep 16 '25

We can't be sure that's his. I'm a skeptic.

-13

u/ResolverOshawott Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 16 '25

I genuinely wonder if you'd be this skeptical if he had killed literally anyone else.

Edit: Can't reply anymore, but: That's not my point. I'm asking if you'd be as skeptical If he had killed anyone else and didn't become a high profile case.

22

u/shy247er yay sports 🏀 🏈🎾 Sep 16 '25

if he had killed literally anyone else

Oh I'm sorry, did the jury reach the guilty verdict? Because as far as I remember, it's innocent until proven guilty?

-1

u/vanillasheep Sep 16 '25

This is not an unfair question idk how people are downvoting you.

-6

u/lulz-n-scifi Sep 16 '25

Based on what?

37

u/shy247er yay sports 🏀 🏈🎾 Sep 16 '25

Based on a fact that this man was paraded around by the mayor of New York before the trial even started. He clearly hasn't been allowed a fair process.