A judge dismissed two criminal counts against Luigi Mangione in a New York courtroom today in relation to the 2024 murder of United Healthcare’s CEO.
Mangione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December last year. He denied murder as well as stalking and firearm charges.
After the decision was announced, supporters of Mangione, gathered outside, erupted into cheers of celebration.
Today’s decision means Mangione will likely only face a second-degree murder charge, rather than the stalking and firearms charges.
A second-degree murder charge means that the killer did not have any premeditation before the crime, and was likely trying to cause harm, rather than death.
First-degree murder means someone kills with the intent to end another’s life, with premeditation and planning.
Mangione’s lawyers argued that the New York charges and federal charges amounted to double jeopardy.
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