In a notable legal development, Luigi Mangione was recently acquitted by a New York judge of terrorism charges related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Judge Gregory Carro issued the ruling on September 16 in the high-profile case, which attracted national media attention.Luigi Mangione still faces charges of second-degree murder and eight counts of weapons offenses in state court, with a possible sentence of 25 years to life if found guilty. The separate federal case, where he could potentially face the death penalty, remains ongoing.According to CBS News, Judge Carro’s written decision found the terrorism count "legally insufficient." Prosecutors argued that Luigi Mangione’s actions were to "violently broadcast a social and political message." The judge determined that the evidence for both counts was inadequate."There was no evidence presented of a desire to terrorize the public, inspire widespread fear, engage in a broader campaign of violence, or to conspire with organized terrorist groups," Carro wrote. "Here, the crime -- the heinous, but targeted and discrete killing of one person -- is very different from the examples of terrorism set forth in the statute."Even without the terrorism charges, the main part of the state's case continues to move forward. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office said it “will proceed on the remaining nine counts, including Murder in the Second Degree.”Luigi Mangione's defense also argued that being tried in both state and federal court violates the Double Jeopardy Clause. Judge Carro dismissed this as premature reasoning, citing precedent that two sovereigns cannot prosecute the same act.Luigi Mangione's remaining charges and motionsThere are additional pre-trial motions pending. The defense seeks to suppress evidence discovered in Luigi Mangione’s backpack, including a firearm and a notebook, claiming the evidence was obtained without a search warrant. The defense also seeks to suppress statements Mangione made to law enforcement, arguing that he was not read his Miranda rights. A hearing on these motions is scheduled for December 1, 2025. The decision to drop terrorism charges was met with applause from supporters gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse. Mangione, a 27-year-old Ivy League graduate, has gained a cult-like following among critics of the health insurance industry. According to CNN, his supporters, some dressed in green in tribute to Luigi from the Mario Bros. video game, have attended his hearings and donated over $1.2 million to his online legal defense fund. On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside a Manhattan hotel. Investigators found ammunition at the scene inscribed with words like "delay" and "deny," which appeared to reference insurance practices. Days later, authorities arrested Mangione in Pennsylvania.Although the dismissal of the terrorism charges is a huge win for the defense, Luigi Mangione is still jailed and faces serious prison sentences in both the state and federal courts while the legal details of the case are still being sorted out.