It’s 31 levels exterior, however the wind makes it really feel like 19. After I arrived on the New York Supreme Court docket Legal Time period at 100 Centre Avenue round 10am final Friday, watercolor pencils and sketch paper in hand, there weren’t many individuals there aside from a handful of journalists wielding cameras. I discovered this comparatively sparse turnout unusual till I overheard a lady say that they’d began lining up at 5am and have been already contained in the courthouse. I hurried throughout the road, stunned at how shortly I bought by safety, digicam in tow able to take footage of the scene I might discover exterior after the listening to — individuals hoisting hand-painted indicators, prayer-style playing cards of “Saint Luigi,” and bright-green plushies of Mario’s twin brother within the Nintendo franchise.
A display projected pictures of Luigi Mangione and messages denouncing “corporate greed” whereas supporters held plushies of Nintendo’s Luigi and viral illustrations of “Saint Luigi.”
My coronary heart raced as I pushed the elevator button to the fifteenth ground. A Hyperallergic accreditation allowed me to slide previous the metallic police barricades into the press space, the place two strains had fashioned, one for photographers and one other for reporters. An indication exterior the courtroom door learn “Part 96.” My nerves have been taking a toll on me, and I sensed that the opposite journalists may inform it was my first rodeo. However I used to be in, and there was no turning again.
Lining the hallway, individuals sitting on the chilly floor typed away on their computer systems. The olive-green ground stretched for what appeared like miles, and a strawberry-blond cop paced forwards and backwards, prepared to say his dominance on the first alternative. I hadn’t seen the gang gathered on the finish of the marble corridor: Luigi Mangione supporters, primarily girls aged 18 to 35, some donning the accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s signature burgundy courtroom sweater.
Supporters rallied exterior the courthouse on Friday, February 21.
My consideration shifts again to the press line once I hear somebody within the pool of photographers crying hysterically and insisting they get the house to take images. I discovered myself sympathizing with them — everybody desires “the shot,” and this work is clearly not for the faint of coronary heart. I overheard somebody say that Chelsea Manning was among the many crowd of supporters; 20 minutes later, I noticed her enter the restroom as members of the press yelled her title for a photograph. The hallway is getting hotter by the minute, the gang of crammed our bodies like bees producing warmth in a hive. Just a few extra minutes till they’re presupposed to allow us to into the courtroom.
Some offered baby-pink “Luigi t-shirts” and raised hand-painted indicators.
It’s now 1:16pm. Photographers faucet their fingers on their cameras, tapping on the metallic barricades. I can’t inform whether or not it’s boredom or, in the event that they, like me, really feel like their coronary heart may bounce out of their chest. The warmth is changing into overwhelming, and I attempt onerous to not give attention to my dipping blood sugar after skipping breakfast and discarding my tea prematurely. 1:44pm: Luigi’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, enters the fifteenth ground, and walks previous the more and more keen supporters, who cheer for her as she marches down the lengthy hallway and previous the press. Cameras flash, and reporters yell out seemingly random questions, none of which she solutions. Her face is smooth, and a slight smile stretches throughout her face in mauve lipstick. She’s not a lot taller than me, however she radiates with the vitality of somebody over six toes.
We’re in now. The stress is much past something I anticipated. Luigi’s legal professionals are seated within the entrance; Karen paces the room. I spot the well-known courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg, who was given a seat within the jurors’ field. I discover a seat within the final row, the place my view is obstructed by police and reporters, however I make a psychological word of the house. Lastly, after quarter-hour, Luigi enters the room. He’s shackled just like the Joker in a Batman movie, however his face seems like a marble sculpture you’d see at The Met.
Danielle De Jesus, “Luigi Mangione Hearing, NYC” (2025)
I tremble as I pull out my pencils and try a sketch as quick as attainable. Earlier than heading out that morning, I had contemplated bringing a replica of my aunt’s pending UnitedHealthcare medical payments as a canvas to attract on, however I made a decision in opposition to it — I didn’t need any pointless consideration drawn to me — and resorted to paper and some greenback payments.
A towering feminine cop obscures my view, leaving me with only a glimpse of Luigi’s shoulder and a sliver of the bulletproof vest he was sporting. I scribbled strains throughout sheets of paper, looking for my composition. Luigi’s lawyer asks for them to take away the shackles, arguing that her consumer poses no risk, however the decide denies the request “for the safety of those in the room.” Karen Agnifilo is sort of a bull. When it’s her flip to talk, she seizes the chance to precise her frustration at a brand new HBO documentary, Who’s Luigi Mangione, which she claims incorporates data she nonetheless had not accessed herself. “They paid actors to read his alleged journal. They didn’t even sound like him,” she argued. The decide stopped her earlier than she may go any additional.
After which the screams started. I may hear what gave the impression of tons of of Luigi supporters screaming exterior the courtroom: “Free Luigi!,” they whooped and hollered.
A Luigi Mangione supporter exterior the New York Supreme Court docket used his head as a canvas for a message of solidarity.
Then, identical to that, it was over — 20 minutes max. He bought up and walked out the identical manner he got here in. Everybody appeared to soak up each inch of his bodily existence. I hear a lady behind me say: “He smiled at me, did you see?! He smiled at me!” Luigi by no means smiled at anybody.
Luigi plushies dotted the scene exterior the courthouse on Friday, February 21.
Protesters’ indicators took intention at the US’s for-profit well being system.
Different indicators referred to as for the justice system to research billionaires and politicians. 
I may hear what gave the impression of tons of of Luigi supporters screaming exterior the courtroom: “Free Luigi!”
A supporter requires “class consciousness” exterior the listening to on Friday.
