Luigi Mangione Supporters Flood Manhattan Court Prior to Accused CEO Killer's Hearing

Mar. 15, 2025

Protesters demonstrate outside the courthouse ahead of Luigi Mangione’s hearing.Photo:ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

Supporters ofLuigi Mangionepacked a Manhattan courthouse ahead of the accused murderer’s court appearance on Friday, Feb. 21.

More than 100 people, mostly young women, were milling about in the hallways of the Supreme Courthouse in Lower Manhattan awaiting Mangione’s arrival for a 2:15 p.m. status conference. Dozens more were waiting outside the building on the cold winter day.

Spectators started lining up to get into the courthouse early Friday morning. At least one person was wearing a Luigi cap from Super Mario Bros, which has become a symbol of support for Mangione.

Meanwhile, supportersrented a billboard truck and drove it around near the courthouse, while othersput up a billboard in Lower Manhattandepicting Mangione as a saint with the message “Free Luigi.”

Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEOBrian Thompsonon a Midtown Manhattan street in December 2024, will be in court in New York for the second time, standing before a judge on murder and terrorism charges that could put him in prison for the rest of his life if convicted.

Luigi Mangione.NYPDnews/X; Luigi Mangione/X

NYPDnews/X; Luigi Mangione/X

Mangione also faces federal murder charges in Manhattan that could land him the death penalty if convicted.

On his arrest in Altoona, Pa., five days following the shooting, police said theydiscovered a manifestoin his possession critical of the health insurance industry, allegedly writing that “these parasites had it coming.”

Bullet casings found at the scene of the shootingwere inscribedwith messages seemingly referencing a book about health insurance industry practices for denying claims.

Mangione will return to federal court in Manhattan on March 19.

Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty

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As of Feb. 20, supporters haveraised more than half a million dollarsfor Mangione’s legal defense, funds the defendant has accepted.

source: people.com