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 support 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.
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.
‘We are here to support the message Luigi is spreading,’ one of the women waiting on line outside the courtroom told DailyMail.com.
The sick show of support came as Mangione, 26, appeared for a routine hearing on discovery in connection with the case against him.
He is charged with the December 4 killing of United HealthCare CEO Thompson outside a Manhattan Hilton hotel where he was due to attend an investors meeting.
Video shows how the killer ambushed Thompson, 50, shooting him from behind. The killer then fled the scene on an e-bike which he rode to Central Park before making his getaway.
Friday’s hearing before Judge Gregory Carro is expected to be for prosecutors and Mangione’s defense attorneys to provide updates on the status of their case at the pre-trial hearing at 2.15pm.
An image depicting Mangione in a saint’s garb with a halo around his head was featured on a vehicle driving by the Manhattan Supreme Court before his hearing
Hundreds of fans mostly young female supporters stood outside the courtroom on the 15th floor where Mangione is set to appear. One supporter told DailyMail.com that she was there to ‘support the message Luigi is spreading’
Supporters of accused killer Luigi Mangione, 26, packed a New York courthouse Friday desperate for a glimpse of the man who is charged with gunning down healthcare CEO Brian Thompson
Since his arrest, details had leaked from prison of Mangione’s reaction to his polarizing notoriety, but the accused killer hadn’t made any public statements apart from his not guilty plea, until last week.
His lawyers then set up a website documenting his case, including a message from the alleged killer thanking his fans.
‘I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,’ Mangione, the son of a wealthy Maryland nursing home mogul, said.
‘Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe.
‘While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.
‘Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.’
Mangione has been in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after his arrested on December 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a five-day manhunt.
His lawyers, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo, and Jacob Kaplan, also made a statement on the website.
Legions of fans, mostly women, lined up outside the Manhattan Criminal Court in frigid temperature to catch a glimpse of Luigi Mangione before he appeared in court on Friday
A disturbing wanted sign for ‘denying medical care for corporate profit’ with CEO Thompson’s name crossed out was posted near the courthouse
Mangione has pled not guilty to multiple counts of murder and terrorism for the December 4 slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel
‘Due to the extraordinary volume of inquiries and outpouring of support, this site was created and is maintained by Luigi Mangione’s New York legal defense team to provide answers to frequently asked questions, accurate information about his cases, and dispel misinformation,’ it read.
‘The intent is to share factual information regarding the unprecedented, multiple prosecutions against him.’
Mangione has divided public opinion since his identity and the chilling details of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder were revealed after his arrest on December 9.
Shell casings found at the scene were engraved with ‘delay’, ‘deny’, and ‘depose’, in an apparent reference to terms used in the American health insurance industry.
Mangione, who has been locked up at Brooklyn’s infamous Metropolitan Center, faces 11 charges, including murder as an act of terrorism.
However, many have called him a hero for targeting the head of the country’s biggest health insurer, and the American health system in general.
He has been fiercely backed by a slew of fans who have praised him for fighting back against the private healthcare sector and have also raised money for his legal defense fund.
The December 4 Legal Committee, a ‘volunteer-run fund’ dedicated solely to raising money for Mangione, have accepted donations on GiveSendGo, and have done so since December 9.
Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at point-blank range on December 4
Despite the gruesome allegations, legions of fans have flocked to Mangione’s defense expressing support for the apparently political motivations for the killing
More than $465,000 has been raised for his legal battle on the fundraising site.
‘The American private health insurance industry has ruined countless lives by denying people access to basic care and burying families in medical debt,’ the December 4 Legal Committee backing the fundraiser said.
‘It’s no surprise that Luigi’s alleged actions are understood and supported by tens of millions of hard-working Americans.’
His support is also helped by his good looks, and many of his fans want him released from jail and the charges dropped.
Instead, he faces execution if he is convicted in a federal case that hass alsso been brought against him.
