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A New York State judge has dismissed terrorism-related murder charges against Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The ruling, made on Tuesday morning, found the evidence insufficient to support the charges of first-degree murder as an act of terrorism. Judge Gregory Carro stated that while Mangione expressed animosity towards UnitedHealthcare and the healthcare industry, there was no evidence that his actions aimed to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, as reported by ABC News.
The court maintained the second-degree murder charge, to which Mangione has pleaded not guilty, along with other charges including criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a forged instrument. The Washington Post reported that Mangione is also facing federal charges and charges in Pennsylvania, where he has similarly pleaded not guilty.
Mangione's next court hearing is scheduled for December 1, with no trial date set yet. The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the complex legal proceedings involved.
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