Supporters of Luigi Mangione gathered at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Friday as he faces trial in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson.
Luigi is accused of killing the top health insurance executive in New York city on December 4, 2024, but has pleaded “not guilty” before Judge Gregory Carro.
As he arrived and left the courthouse, scores of admirers chanted “Free Luigi” many times over, in defiance of federal and state officials’ caution against his characterization as a hero.
Many of the supporters displayed banners with inscriptions such as “Lock up the real criminals”, “Medicare for all”, “Luigi before parasites”, “Patients before profits”, “For profit, healthcare is murder.”
The 26-year-old’s followers online and offline argue that he’s not a criminal but a citizen who challenged a system often criticized for avoiding some insurance payouts or paying less despite serious claims.
Speaking to reporters after the court session, Luigi’s attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo complained about the portrayal of the defendant brought in handcuffs with chained legs, and a bulletproof vest.
Agnifilo stated that Luigi’s “right to a fair trial is being infringed upon because he is being publicly treated as guilty and as having the presumption of guilt as opposed to the presumption of innocence which he is entitled to.”
The attorney said Luigi was supposed to appear in court on February 24 in Pennsylvania but “the Department of Justice is refusing to transport him…we are concerned that his constitutional rights were violated in Pennsylvania.”
Luigi was arrested at the McDonald’s on East Plank Road in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while in hiding after the fatal shooting which caused a nationwide manhunt by law enforcement agencies.
The defendant arraigned on December 23 faces eleven state charges, including first-degree murder “in furtherance of an act of terrorism”, and federal stalking and murder offenses that could carry the death penalty.
Luigi’s defense team has informed that the next court hearing for the federal charges is scheduled for March 19. His supporters are expected to converge again at the venue.
Thompson’s murder sent shock waves across the industry as companies took measures like additional security and barricades within and around offices as well as removal of officials’ photos and contacts from websites.