A New York judge dropped the two most serious charges against Luigi Mangione in the state's case against the accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer, Us Weekly can confirm. Judge Gregory Carro said in court documents obtained by Us on Tuesday, September 16, that there was "insufficient" evidence to support the charges of first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism and second-degree murder as a crime of terrorism. He also noted that terrorism "has been famously difficult to define." The judge did, however, keep a separate count of second-degree murder unrelated to terrorism in addition to various weapons charges. "While the defendant was clearly expressing an animus toward UHC, and the health care industry generally, it does not follow that his goal was to 'intimidate and coerce a civilian population,' and indeed, there was no evidence presented of such a goal," Carro said in the filing. Luigi Mangione Granted Laptop in Jail to Prepare for CEO Murder Trial The first-degree murder charge could have landed Mangione, 27, in prison for the rest of his life. A second-degree murder count carries a penalty of 15 years to life behind bars, with the possibility of parole after 25 years. In response to the ruling, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said in a statement to the Associated Press, "We respect the court's decision and will proceed on the remaining nine counts." Luigi Mangione Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images Mangione appeared in court on Tuesday for the first time since February 21, wearing handcuffs and a brown jumpsuit from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He did not speak to the judge, only his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo. Mangione's next state hearing is scheduled for December 1. A trial date has not yet been set. Luigi Mangione Prosecutors Accused of Gaining Access to Medical Records He also faces four federal charges in a separate case, in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. After a nearly week-long manhunt, Maryland-raised Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, for allegedly fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024. The Ivy League graduate has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Since being taken into custody, Mangione has become a folk hero of sorts for people who have been burned by American health insurance companies. His supporters have donated nearly $1.3 million to his legal defense fund, and he has received countless letters in jail. "I am overwhelmed by - and grateful for - everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support," Mangione said in a February statement posted on a website launched by his lawyers to provide case updates. "Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country and around the globe. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive. Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future."