After a brief 10-minute hearing, Mangione was escorted out of the courtroom by authorities. Read more on the Fox News App.
“I understand the NYPD’s need for a press conference,” Agnifilo told reporters outside the courthouse. “I was surprised to see NYPD discussing case evidence on HBO this week that we had not received.”
Supporters of Luigi Mangione gathered outside the Criminal Court after the status hearing on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Mangione is accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel last year.
Concerns were raised about potential constitutional issues surrounding his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with claims that only one police officer had their bodycam on and potential search and seizure problems.
As she addressed the crowd outside, protesters chanted in support of the suspect, saying, “We, the people, want Luigi free.”
Supporters of Luigi Mangione gathered outside the Criminal Court after the status hearing on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Mangione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel last year.
Supporters had encouraged each other to wear green in solidarity, reminiscent of the “Luigi” character in Nintendo’s “Super Mario” games. Some individuals in the courthouse wore green or other symbols of support, like a scarf reading “Free Luigi.”
The 26-year-old former Ivy League student is accused of stalking Thompson, a father of two, and shooting him in the back outside a shareholder conference in early December. Investigators have portrayed the incident as calculated and ruthless.
A surveillance image released by the NYPD shows the suspect in the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. The suspect is seen approaching Thompson from behind and firing multiple shots before leaving the scene.
While many supporters emphasize his presumption of innocence, concerns arise about potential jury nullification, where verdicts are influenced by ideology rather than the law.
“Jury selection will be crucial in Mangione’s case,” said defense attorney Edwina Elcox. “He is perceived as a modern-day Robin Hood.”
Donations to his legal defense fund have exceeded $500,000, with over $200,000 raised in the past 10 days from over 10,000 donors. Some backers have hailed him as a “humanitarian.”
“This is a fascinating case,” Elcox remarked. “The CEO represented a company with numerous negative stories regarding its treatment of people in need of medical care, contrasted with a young man of good character and background.”
While both sides are likely to focus on jury selection, retired NYPD inspector Paul Mauro highlighted strong evidence in the case.
“Jury nullification may be a concern, given how this individual has become a symbol of progressive grievances against corporations and the insurance industry, but I believe Manhattan’s criminal justice system will remain impartial.”
“He informed Fox News Digital that the venue has been completely defanged. Despite being the location where Alvin Bragg’s case was prosecuted, it is also where 12 ordinary New Yorkers acquitted Daniel Penny.” Supporters of Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson, gathered in a corridor on the day of Mangione’s anticipated hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on murder and terrorism charges in New York City on February 21, 2025. Follow The Fox True Crime Team for more updates. The case appears to be very solid at this point, with expectations that the jurors will carefully consider the evidence presented. He cautioned against jury nullification, highlighting the possibility of a federal death penalty case against Mangione beyond Bragg’s jurisdiction if needed. Mangione is currently facing legal proceedings in New York, Pennsylvania, and federal court. Supporters of Mangione were seen outside Criminal Court following a status hearing on February 21, 2025, as he stands accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The investigation into Thompson’s murder unveiled politically charged aspects, including handwritten messages found on bullet casings at the scene: “defend,” “depose,” and “deny,” similar to themes in a critical book about the health insurance industry. Surveillance footage released by the NYPD showed a person of interest in connection to Thompson’s shooting death in Manhattan. Mangione, described by some as an anti-capitalist figure, allegedly meticulously planned the murder to spark a public conversation about the healthcare industry. His degree from the University of Pennsylvania and attendance at an elite Baltimore high school contrasted the alleged nature of the crime. Allegations suggest a journal outlining the murder plan and meticulous preparations, including stalking the victim, scouting the area, and having incriminating evidence on his person upon arrest. Mangione was seen in a viral surveillance image smiling during his check-in at the Manhattan hostel, where he was staying before the murder. Police recovered the suspected murder weapon, a 3D-printed suppressor, and a fake ID used for check-in upon his arrest.
Regarding his defense fundraiser, the self-proclaimed December 4 Legal Committee depicts itself as “a group of 15 volunteers scattered across the United States,” claiming to have been “independently established by Mangione’s advocates to support his cause.” Among its representatives, Sam Beard and Jamie Peck, who also co-host a podcast titled “Party Girls” which delves into discussions on communism and rumors. A scheduled Monday hearing in the Pennsylvania lawsuit has been delayed as he faces impending trials on more severe charges in New York and in federal court, potentially leading to a life imprisonment or even capital punishment. Audrey Conklin and Kirill Clark from Fox News have contributed to this coverage. Source: Luigi Mangione flashes a grin at well-wishers wearing a green sweater beneath a bulletproof vest.
