*

Mangione faces state and federal charges for killing Brian

Thompson

*

Defense argues parallel prosecutions violate

constitutional

rights

*

Concerns mount about rising US political violence

(Recasts with judge's decision, paragraphs 1-2, adds courtroom

details in paragraphs 2, 7-8)

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK, Sept 16 (Reuters) - A New York state judge

dismissed on Tuesday two criminal counts against Luigi Mangione

over the December 2024 killing of health insurance executive

Brian Thompson, though the 27-year-old remains charged with

murder in the second degree.

Justice Gregory Carro in Manhattan announced the decision

shortly after Mangione was led into the lower Manhattan

courtroom handcuffed and with shackles on his feet, wearing tan

prison garb.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges

of killing Thompson, the former chief executive of UnitedHealth

Group's ( UNH ) insurance unit UnitedHealthcare. Thompson was

shot and killed on December 4 outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel,

where the company was gathering for an investor conference.

Last week's killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk

has fueled fears of a spike in U.S. political violence.

Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk's killing is expected to

be formally charged with state crimes in Utah later on Tuesday.

Elected officials from both the Republican and Democratic

parties have condemned the killing.

While the killing of Thompson was also widely condemned by

public officials across the political spectrum, Mangione has

become a folk hero to some Americans who decry steep healthcare

costs.

A small group of Mangione supporters gathered outside the

lower Manhattan courthouse on Wednesday morning. One was dressed

in a green costume of the Nintendo character Luigi, and another

held the red, white and green Italian tricolor with the words

"Healthcare is a human right" inscribed on the flag.

About two dozen members of the public - mostly young women -

secured a seat in the back of the courtroom to watch the

proceeding. One wore a black t-shirt with the words "Free Luigi"

written in white letters.

Trial dates have not yet been set in either the state or

federal case.

Mangione has been held in federal custody in Brooklyn since

his arrest in December.