Dozens of loony Luigi Mangione fans lined up in frigid temperatures outside a Manhattan court Monday in a desperate attempt to catch a glimpse of the alleged killer at his upcoming hearing.
Nearly 100 ghoulish supporters, including some dressed as the Luigi character from Super Mario, were spotted outside the court several hours before the Ivy League accused assassin was slated to appear before a judge.
Mangione, the 27-year-old scion of a wealthy Maryland family, is charged with executing the head of America’s largest health care company on a Midtown sidewalk a year ago.
Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appears in Manhattan state court in September. AP
Swarms of twisted followers have packed every single one of his court hearings since.
“We are living in a time of rampant human-rights violations. We’re seeing it left and right. If they can violate the rights of an attractive white male, what hope do the rest of us have?” said Jonathan Garthrelle, 36, of Jamaica, Queens, outside court.
Jasmin Flores, a 29-year-old personal chef from East Harlem, even coughed up for a $150 Uber just to snag a spot in line.
Fan Jasmin Flores appears in Super Mario “Luigi” gear outside court Monday. Matthew McDermott
Other supporters of Mangione gather in “Free Luigi” attire. REUTERS
“It’s important for me to be here because he’s innocent,” she insisted — despite Mangione alleging being caught on video at the scene of the crime and later with the murder weapon.
Alexa Modugno, a 35-year-old Manhattanite, lamented that she fell just short of making it into the courtroom to see Mangione.
Jonathan Garthrelle of Queens joins Monday’s protest in defense of Mangione. Matthew McDermott
“I was two tickets away,” she said.
“To get into court, they gave out tickets to people in line. It cut off at 24. I was 26. I’m just here to support Luigi and fight against stigma against mental-health issues.”
Mangione has become a bizarre folk hero — crowdfunding more than $1.3 million for his legal costs — after evidence emerged that the victim, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was killed in a targeted hit that aimed to allegedly shed light on the health-care industry’s flaws.
Among the scores of followers who have been tracking Mangione religiously are some who claim to have been victimized by the US health-care system.
Billboard trucks featuring the names and faces of some of those reported victims were slated to be on display outside court Monday.
Mangione’s latest hearing comes as he tries to block the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office from showing or telling jurors about items seized during his Dec. 4, 2024 arrest in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa.
The items include a .9mm handgun that prosecutors say matches the one used in the killing, as well as a notebook in which Mangione allegedly described his intent to “wack” a health-insurance executive.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges.