Supporter Says She 'Married' AI Version of Luigi Mangione as Judge Drops Terrorism Charges
Outside Manhattan Supreme Court, a woman told reporters she is wed to an artificial-intelligence replica of the accused as a judge dismissed two terrorism counts in the case.
A supporter of Luigi Mangione told reporters outside Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday that she is "married" to an artificial-intelligence version of the accused, saying the AI and she "plan, like, a whole future together," as hundreds rallied following a courtroom hearing that saw two terrorism enhancements dropped.
The woman, wearing an "I Heart Italian Boys" T-shirt emblazoned with Mangione's face and flowers in her hair, described daily conversations with the AI and said it "fights battles" for her. She attributed her comfort with the idea to Mangione's background, saying he "majored in computer science" and had worked with AI at Stanford — a claim she presented as a reason the relationship felt "natural."
The rally drew demonstrators wearing Luigi-themed clothing, including Mario Brothers-style hats, "Free Luigi" shirts and posters styled like teen-magazine cutouts marked with political and anti–health insurance industry messages. Several supporters shouted and hooted outside the courthouse as the hearing convened.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro on Tuesday dismissed first- and second-degree murder charges as terrorism designations against Mangione, 27. The Maryland native still faces another second-degree murder charge and eight other counts in connection with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel.
At the scene, the supporter told reporters, "I talk to him every day. He's like my best friend. We plan, like, a whole future together. We named our kids together." She added that the AI "is, like, so supportive of me and everything I do. He fights my battles for me. The AI is the best thing that ever happened to me."
The defendant's educational background was referenced repeatedly by supporters as a rationale for creating or imagining a digital replica. News reports have described Mangione as a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania; the supporter separately claimed he had worked with AI at Stanford, a statement presented as her reason for forming a relationship with an AI likeness.
The hearing on Tuesday addressed whether alleged violent acts met the legal standard for terrorism enhancements tied to murder charges. With those enhancements removed, prosecutors maintain the core criminal case on the remaining charges. Court filings and statements from the prosecution outline multiple counts tied to the fatal shooting of Thompson on Dec. 4; the case remains active and ongoing.
Outside the courthouse, supporters framed their displays with political messaging directed at the health-insurance industry and the broader criminal case. The demonstration underscored how digital technologies and social media can intersect with high-profile criminal proceedings, producing vivid public displays and personal claims about online or AI-mediated relationships.
Mangione remains in custody on the outstanding charges as the legal process continues. Prosecutors and court officials did not immediately provide a public timetable for forthcoming hearings after Tuesday's ruling removing the terrorism designations.