NEW YORK — In a highly publicized court hearing on Friday, Luigi Mangione appeared in shackles and a bulletproof vest as supporters rallied outside, chanting his name. Among the onlookers, a woman wore a “Free Luigi” scarf, illustrating the fervent support he has garnered from those frustrated with the health insurance system. This appearance was Mangione’s first since his arraignment on December 23, where he faces serious state murder and terrorism charges in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4.
During the hearing, Mangione, 26, remained silent while Judge Gregory Carro ordered him to be kept handcuffed for security reasons. His attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, contended that such measures undermine Mangione’s presumption of innocence. Carro scheduled the next hearing for June 26 but did not set a trial date. Mangione is also facing a parallel federal case, which could lead to the death penalty, while the state charges could result in life imprisonment without parole.
Agnifilo raised concerns about the complexities arising from the simultaneous state and federal prosecutions, as federal authorities are still deciding whether to pursue the death penalty. Additionally, Mangione is also dealing with charges in Altoona, Pennsylvania, stemming from his arrest on December 9. Agnifilo expressed her worries about the impact of multiple prosecutions on the defense, emphasizing that Mangione seems to be treated differently due to the crime’s notoriety.
She criticized city officials, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, for engaging with a film crew about evidence—a notebook allegedly containing Mangione’s grievances against the health insurance industry—before providing it to the defense, which she claimed is a violation of fairness in the legal process.
During proceedings, Manhattan prosecutors disclosed that they have collected over 800 gigabytes of evidence, encompassing surveillance footage, DNA test data, and police body camera recordings. The judge instructed Mangione’s lawyers to submit their pretrial motions by April 9 and set May 14 as the deadline for prosecutors’ responses. Agnifilo stated her intention to challenge certain evidence that was gathered during Mangione’s arrest.
Judge Carro acknowledged his unfamiliarity with other cases related to this complex matter, urging the defense to expedite the hearings in order to facilitate their preparation. Mangione has entered a plea of not guilty to several murder counts, including accusations of terrorism-related murder.
The public outcry over Thompson’s killing, carried out while he was en route to an investor conference, has sparked alarming discussions among corporate leaders regarding increased threats. Mangione has emerged as a symbol of public discontent with health insurance practices, with a polling indicating a broad sentiment among Americans that the industry’s profit motives and coverage denials share responsibility for the crisis.
Approximately twenty supporters of Mangione filled the courtroom’s back rows, including notable figures like Chelsea Manning, a former Army intel analyst convicted for leaking classified documents. More supporters waited in the corridor, showing solidarity through green attire reminiscent of the “Luigi” character from the “Mario Bros.” franchise, symbolizing their backing for Mangione. In a recent statement on his legal defense website, Mangione expressed gratitude for the support he’s received, stating that it has crossed barriers of politics, race, and class.
While the state case is set to be tried first, Mangione is currently detained in a federal jail in Brooklyn alongside other high-profile detainees, raising concerns about the status of his defense. Judge Carro even questioned this arrangement, noting it might be a hindrance to Mangione’s legal representation. The judge also inquired about the existence of an indictment for the federal charges, to which the response was no, leaving Mangione in legal limbo under a complaint. Agnifilo emphasized that consent for this arrangement was made under the pressure of potential capital punishment, highlighting the grave implications of the legal situation Mangione now faces.
