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Luigi Mangione scored a major legal victory on Tuesday after a judge dropped the two top state charges against him: first-degree murder and second-degree murder, each of which prosecutors had argued were terrorism crimes.

Outstanding Charges and National Prosecution

Mangione continues to confront an further intentional homicide charge, as well as a national homicide accusation, in the killing of United HealthCare executive Brian Thompson in December of last year.

The judge handling the defendant’s state criminal case, Gregory Carro, detailed his ruling in a written opinion that was published during a 15-minute hearing in Manhattan court on Tuesday.

“Charges 1 and 2, charging defendant with Murder in the First Degree (as part of an act of terrorism) and Murder in the Second Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, are dismissed as legally insufficient,” the judge wrote.

Federal Accusations and Courtroom Presence

Mangione also faces national accusations for reportedly gunning down Thompson near a lodging establishment, as well as firearm-related counts.

He entered the New York court shortly prior to 9:30am, wearing khaki jail scrubs, with handcuffed wrists and chained feet. The hearing came six days after the conservative speaker Charlie Kirk was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University.

Political Backdrop and National Reaction

While a reason in Kirk’s shooting remains unknown, right-leaning voices have used the incident to demand the investigation of progressive political groups. Donald Trump has called for the death penalty against the suspected Kirk shooter, Tyler Robinson, and his justice department is seeking the execution for Mangione.

The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, described Thompson’s killing “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that stunned America”. Bondi said her ruling was in alignment with “the administration’s goals to stop violent crime and make America safe again”.

The homicide ignited a heated public debate about American medical systems that drew reactions from both sides, with certain voices supporting the accused and denouncing medical corporations and many others angered that a homicide would be used to air policy disagreements.

Supporters Assemble Near Hearing

During the hearing outside the Manhattan courthouse building, similar to his previous hearings, Mangione supporters gathered for a glimpse of him, queuing for courtroom seats and fanning themselves yellow index cards that secured access. One woman wore a dark top emblazoned with “FREE LUIGI” and another a white one reading “LUIGI’S PIZZA”.