Mangione's supporters started lining up outside the courthouse around 4 a.m., hoping to get a seat for his afternoon pre-trial hearing.

His lawyer argued during the hearing that her client - wearing a bulletproof vest - was being treated unfairly.

More than 100 starry-eyed supporters of the accused gunman convened at the Manhattan criminal courthouse on Friday, but fewer than 20 were able to make it into the courtroom.