A woman who locked eyes with Luigi Mangione as he left court said it felt like an ‘out of body experience’.

The 26-year-old murder suspect was greeted by star-struck fans when he entered Manhattan Criminal Court for a status hearing on Friday. 

Mangione is accused of gunning down the UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4.

Among his supporters in attendance was Hailey Viviani, 23, who said she thought to herself ‘oh my god’ as the alleged killer stared her down as he walked out following the hearing. 

Speaking afterward Viviani, a cashier from Staten Island, New York, said: ‘To see him with the shackles on his hands and his arms, it was dehumanizing. They’re treating him like he’s a terrible person and it’s really sad to see.

‘Seeing it online is one thing but seeing it in the flesh’.

Asked what it was like to see Mangione in person, Vivian said: ‘Honestly it was like an out-of-body experience. I’ve seen all the videos but this was the first time I’ve attended a court date.

‘On the way out he was scanning the crowd and I made eye contact but I looked away but I didn’t want to make eye contact for too long.

‘But then I saw him look back at me and was like: ‘Oh my god’,’ she said, waving her hand next to her face.

Viviani added: ‘If he really did do it I don’t agree with killing, but so many people have been screwed by healthcare.

‘My grandmother has asthma, my grandfather has a heart problem, all these medications are expensive, I’ve seen it’.

Outside court, a crowd of around 150 people chanted ‘Free Luigi’ and held up posters and a flag with Mangione’s face.

Among them were two friends who gave their names as Sarah and Mary who said they traveled in from Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, for the hearing.

Both of them held up signs saying: ‘Free Luigi’.

Sarah said: ‘He’s not a terrorist. We’re here to show we haven’t forgotten about him. His message is about uniting the country and the way we’ve been screwed by corporations.’

Mary said: ‘There are people who have committed worse crimes like serial killers. He doesn’t deserve the death penalty.

‘This was a wakeup call for America. He’s started a revolution.’

Mangione pleaded not guilty to state murder and terror charges on December 23 for the killing of Thompson on December 4. 

Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo, and Jacob Kaplan are representing Mangione. 

Agnifilo was met with a resounding applause from Mangione’s supporters when she entered the courtroom. 

She argued in court that Mangione’s constitutional rights may have been violated when officers arrested him and seized his belongings. 

It was also argued that the defense hadn’t received critical evidence from the prosecution and claimed that Mangione’s right to a fair trial was impacted. 

Mangione’s team told Judge Gregory Carro that they didn’t have enough access to their client while he has been held in a Brooklyn federal detention center. 

Mangione sat in court with his hands and ankles shackled, as Judge Carro denied the defense’s request to remove them.

His family was not present at the courthouse, but they did release a statement following Mangione’s arrest.  

‘Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news,’ they said at the time. 

Friday’s hearing was the first time Mangione was seen outside of the detention center since December. 

Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after he allegedly killed Thompson outside of the Hilton Hotel. 

He’s accused of shooting the CEO twice and fleeing the scene on an electric bike. The shooting set of a man hunt searching for the alleged killer. Surveillance camera footage captured a photo of the suspect and the public was asked to help police locate him. 

A tip from someone who claimed they saw Mangione at a McDonald’s led to his arrest. He was extradited back to New York City on December 19. 

Photographers captured the shocking moment Mangione was escorted down a Manhattan pier alongside multiple armed officers, Mayor Eric Adams, and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. 

Mangione’s case has captivated the public, as many Americans resonated with the anger toward the healthcare industry. 

The fanfare around Mangione has reached shocking heights, with images of Mangione as a saint popping up around Manhattan. 

One New Yorker captured an edited photo of Mangione plastered on the back of a tractor trailer.

Mangione’s supporters packed the courtroom to get a glimpse of the man who has become known as a ‘vigilante.’ 

Some fans have even gone as far as donating money to his defense fund. A fundraiser with GiveSendGo was set up for Mangione in December with a goal of $1 million. 

The fundraiser has already amassed over $500,000 in support of Mangione. The description clarified that the organizers weren’t celebrating violence, but ‘believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation.’

Mangione released a statement last week thanking the public for the support. ‘Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe,’ the statement read.’ 

‘While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.’ 

Mangione is facing federal murder, firearms, and stalking charges. The state hasn’t announced whether they would be seeking the death penalty. His next court hearing is scheduled for March 19.