A judge in New York state has dismissed two terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
However, Judge Gregory Carro during a hearing on Tuesday morning ruled a charge of second-degree murder against Mangione could stand.
He said prosecutors had failed to establish that there was enough evidence to justify the terrorism-related murder charges that they sought against Mangione.
Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson on a busy Manhattan street in December last year.
In a written ruling, Carro stated that the allegations against Mangione did not meet the definition of terrorism under state law. Although prosecutors argued that writings left by Mangione demonstrated a terrorism motive, the judge maintained they did not prove the intent to pressure the government or induce fear in the general population, as required by New York's terrorism law.
There was no evidence presented that the defendant made any demands of government or sought any particular governmental policy change, let alone that he did so by intimidation or coercion, Carro wrote.
The first-degree murder charge that was dismissed would have carried a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. If convicted of the remaining second-degree murder charge, Mangione faces a minimum sentence of 15 to 25 years in prison, along with gun and forgery charges.
In addition to state criminal proceedings, Mangione faces federal murder charges, posing the possibility of the death penalty. Carro denied the defense's request to delay the state trial pending the outcome of Mangione's federal trial.
During the hearing, the judge scheduled trial hearings to commence on December 1. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
Thompson, a father of two, was the chief executive of the insurance division of UnitedHealth Group - the largest health insurer in the US. He was shot three times at around 6:45 a.m. on December 4 while in New York City for a meeting.
After a five-day manhunt, authorities arrested Mangione approximately 300 miles away in Altoona, Pennsylvania, at a McDonald's. Police reported that he had left a note criticizing profit-driven healthcare companies, citing corruption and greed.
Outside the Manhattan Supreme Court, a handful of Mangione's supporters gathered, holding placards that read Free Luigi and Innocent until proven guilty.
