Dozens of supporters began lining up over the weekend, with some individuals camping in front of the building in temperatures below freezing.
A large crowd assembled outside the Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday as defendant Luigi Mangione returned for a scheduled evidentiary hearing. Dozens of supporters began lining up over the weekend, with some individuals camping in front of the building in temperatures below freezing.
Mangione, 27, is charged with the 2024 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Prosecutors allege the attack was a deliberate, close-range killing carried out on a Midtown sidewalk. Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland family, has pleaded not guilty.
Court officials issued entry tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. All 24 available seats were filled immediately, the New York Post reports. Several supporters arrived in costumes or themed outfits, including attire referencing the Nintendo character Luigi. Ashley, a supporter who arrived two days earlier, told the Post she and two others had camped out since Saturday night. Her friend April stated they brought a tent and heater after being unable to enter previous hearings due to capacity.
Inside the courtroom, Mangione appeared without restraints and in standard clothing. One supporter, April, said she was “pleased to see that he is unshackled.” Another supporter, Leena, said she believed evidence in the case had been planted, adding she held “a couple theories” about the investigation.
Groups of Mangione supporters have attended each of his court dates since his arrest in December 2024. Some individuals say they identify with claims that the case exposes issues in the U.S. health-care system. Others say they believe Mangione is innocent despite video evidence described by investigators.
Critics of the public response expressed concern about the attention surrounding the defendant. Former FBI investigator Jennifer Coffindaffer wrote that Mangione’s growing fan base is linked to his appearance, stating that if he resembled other high-profile defendants, “he would have 0 fan base.” Manhattan Institute fellow Heather Mac Donald previously questioned the reaction to the killing, calling it an indicator of “America’s moral compass.”
The case has drawn significant public interest and has resulted in more than $1.3 million raised for Mangione’s legal defense through crowdfunding efforts.
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