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Luigi Mangione scored a major courtroom win on Tuesday when a judge dropped the primary pair of state counts facing him: first-degree murder and second-degree murder, both of which prosecutors had argued were terrorism crimes.

Remaining Counts and Federal Case

The accused still faces an additional second-degree murder count, as well as a federal murder charge, related to the death of United HealthCare executive Brian Thompson last December.

Presiding Justice overseeing Mangione’s state criminal case, Gregory Carro, laid out his ruling in a written opinion that was published during a 15-minute proceeding in a New York courtroom on Tuesday.

“Charges 1 and 2, accusing 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 thrown out as legally insufficient,” the judge wrote.

National Charges and Legal Appearance

The suspect also faces national accusations for reportedly shooting Thompson near a lodging establishment, and firearm-related counts.

He appeared in the Manhattan courtroom shortly prior to 9:30am, dressed in khaki jail scrubs, with restrained hands and chained feet. The hearing came six days after the rightwing commentator Charlie Kirk was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University.

Political Context and Public Reaction

Although a motive in Kirk’s shooting is still unclear, 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 death penalty for Mangione.

The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, described Thompson’s killing “a planned, ruthless murder that stunned America”. Bondi said her decision was in step with “Trump’s agenda to reduce violent crime and make America safe again”.

The killing sparked a heated public discussion about American medical systems that crossed the political aisle, with some supporting the accused and denouncing medical corporations and numerous commentators outraged that a murder would be used to express political grievances.

Backers Assemble Near Courtroom

During the hearing near the 100 Center Street building, as with his prior court appearances, those backing the defendant assembled for a glimpse of him, lining up for admission and using yellow index cards that secured access. A female attendee wore a dark top displaying “FREE LUIGI” and another a white one reading “LUIGI’S PIZZA”.