Luigi Mangione Wears Bulletproof Vest During Court Appearance, as Lawyer Claims He's Being 'Treated Differently'

Mar. 15, 2025

Luigi Mangione.Photo:STEVEN HIRSCH/POOL/AFP via Getty

STEVEN HIRSCH/POOL/AFP via Getty

Luigi Mangione’slawyer claims the 26-year-old accused ofkilling healthcare executive Brian Thompsonis being “treated differently” as he is being held in federal custody.

The accused killer wore a bulletproof vest at hisFriday, Feb. 21, court hearingin Manhattan Supreme Court, and he remained cuffed throughout his hearing due to “security reasons,” Judge Gregory Carro said from the bench, asdozens of supporters flooded the courthouseand created a circus-like atmosphere inside and out.

Mangione is facing several charges, including murder and terrorism, across three different jurisdictions in connection withThompson’s fatal shooting outside a Manhattan hotelon Dec. 4.

United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson ; Person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide of Brian Thompson.United Health Group ; New York Police Department/Facebook

United Health Group ; New York Police Department/Facebook

In court on Friday, Agnifilo expressed herfrustration about Mangione’s treatmentin the public eye.

“He’s in shackles. He was wearing a vest today with these leg shackled and his arms shackled,” Agnifilo said at the press briefing outside the court, noting also anHBO documentarywhere police officials and New York Mayor Eric Adams appeared.

“When I go visit a Mangione at [the Metropolitan Detention Center] in Brooklyn, I sit with him, he is unshackled, he walks around freely in the visiting area, we sit in a room together without law enforcement hovering over us,” Agnifilo said.

“But for whatever reason, here, despite all the law enforcement, they need him to be wearing his vest, they needed to be shackled, and they stand right over us and we get no time with them.”

Luigi Mangione in court.STEVEN HIRSCH/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

STEVEN HIRSCH/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

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Agnifilo spoke as Mangione’s supporters roared “free Luigi” among other chants - some of whom traveled from around the country to show their solidarity.

His supporters from across the country have raisedmore than $500,000for his legal defense.

Mangione haspleaded not guilty to the state chargesin New York but has not entered a plea on the federal charges.

source: people.com