For ads-free news, click here.
From the Daily Mail: Supporters of accused killer Luigi Mangione packed a New York courthouse Friday desperate for a glimpse of the man who is charged with gunning down healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The backing was immense as fans waited in the corridors of the state court in Manhattan and a truck circled the building with a large picture of the alleged killer dressed as a saint, complete with halo.
Court officials estimated the crowd at between 250 and 300 people.
At one point a group of supporters standing in line appeared to make the word ‘Luigi’ with their arms and posed for a photo – even former US Army soldier and whistleblower Chelsea Manning was spotted in the crowd of people.
‘I’m a member of the public exercising my Sixth Amendment right to view the proceedings,’ Manning, who spent seven years in prison espionage charges, told DailyMail.com.
Mangione, 26, has been charged with murder for the December 4 killing of United HealthCare CEO Thompson. Thompson was walking outside a Manhattan Hilton hotel where he was due to attend an investors meeting when Mangione shot him in the back and then fled. After a five-day manhunt, police finally captured Mangione at a McDonald’s restaurant on December 9.
As Mangione was led into the courtroom Friday, with his hands and feet in shackles, his crowd of fans erupted in screams and cheers as if he were a rock star.
A “Free Luigi” van was seen driving down the streets of NYC hours before his court appearance.
“Free Luigi” van is driving down the streets of NYC hours before he is set to appear in court. @FrontlinesTPUSA | @dittletv pic.twitter.com/labJyzyuL4
— Bo (@dittletv) February 21, 2025
Mangione’s adoring fans were outside chanting “Free Luigi!”
Protestors chant “free Luigi” outside of NYC courthouse as he arrives to court today. @dittletv | @FrontlinesTPUSA pic.twitter.com/J5oQ8KLdIe
— Bo (@dittletv) February 21, 2025
“We the people want Luigi freed!” the women chanted.
NYC: “We the people want Luigi freed!”
A large group of protesters have gathered outside a New York City courthouse where Luigi Mangione, the alleged murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is set to appear.
The protesters claim that UHC is the real terrorist and not… pic.twitter.com/KMJByJoUR2
— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA) February 21, 2025
Another group of female fans were waiting inside the courthouse:
Chelsea Manning is one of the people on line waiting to see Luigi in court. #LuigiMangione #nyc #luigi @1010WINS pic.twitter.com/YxoKzfMMUj
— Mary-Lyn Buckley (@ml_buckley) February 21, 2025
Independent reporter Talia Jane shared more footage and wrote, “Astonishing crowd inside Manhattan Criminal Court two hours before Luigi Mangione’s follow-up appearance. Organized chaos, people are in cordoned-off gaggles down the full length of the hall, chatting casually. Feels reminiscent of fans waiting for a concert ticket line to open.”
Astonishing crowd inside Manhattan Criminal Court two hours before Luigi Mangione’s follow-up appearance. Organized chaos, people are in cordoned-off gaggles down the full length of the hall, chatting casually. Feels reminiscent of fans waiting for a concert ticket line to open. pic.twitter.com/HNhY1oI2pt
— Talia Jane ❤️🔥 (@taliaotg) February 21, 2025
Luigi Mangione arriving at the New York Supreme Criminal Court for his first court appearance of the year. pic.twitter.com/4vztHWxzmL
— The Luigi Case (@LuigiCaseFiles) February 21, 2025
Talia Jane added, “Just spotted @xychelsea among the massive crowd of Mangione supporters, who says she’s here “exercising my sixth amendment right to observe our court proceedings.””
Just spotted @xychelsea among the massive crowd of Mangione supporters, who says she’s here “exercising my sixth amendment right to observe our court proceedings.” pic.twitter.com/8CnhHPUuiz
— Talia Jane ❤️🔥 (@taliaotg) February 21, 2025
The Daily Mail interviewed multiple women who were there cheering for Mangione.
Hailey Viviani, 23, gushed over seeing the accused killer in person, “Honestly it was like an out of body experience. I’ve seen all the videos but this was the first time I’ve attended a court date.”
“To see him with the shackles on his hands and his arms, it was dehumanizing. They’re treating him like he’s a terrible person and it’s really sad to see,” Viviani lamented.
The Daily Mail quoted two other fans:
Sarah: “He’s not a terrorist. We’re here to show we haven’t forgotten about him. His message is about uniting the country and the way we’ve been screwed by corporations.”
Mary: “There are people who have committed worse crimes like serial killers. He doesn’t deserve the death penalty. This was a wakeup call for America. He’s started a revolution.”
Mangione’s lawyer Karen Agnifilo, said after the hearing that “Luigi really wanted to thank the supporters for being here.”
After today’s hearing, lawyer Karen Agnifilo, stated that “Luigi really wanted to thank the supporters for being here.” pic.twitter.com/IG8gmskqby
— The Luigi Case (@LuigiCaseFiles) February 21, 2025
A fundraising website has raise over $465,000 for Mangione’s legal expenses.
“I am overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone who has written me to share their stories and expressed their support,” Mangione said in a statement thanking his supporters.
Mangione recently released a statement, thanking his supporters.
Saying in part “I am overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone who has written me to share their stories and expressed their support.” pic.twitter.com/jSJ07PAFl8
— Alexis McAdams (@AlexisMcAdamsTV) February 21, 2025
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.