Luigi Mangione, who was arrested last year as the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has now spoken out from prison regarding the support he has received.
Thompson was fatally shot on December 4 after leaving a New York hotel, with surveillance footage capturing the moment of the attack.
Just days later, after authorities sought public assistance to identify the shooter, Mangione was recognized by a McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania and arrested. He was then extradited back to New York City, where the 26-year-old faced charges for the CEO’s murder. Mangione pleaded not guilty during a court appearance in late December.
Luigi Mangione, who is facing multiple charges from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, including first and second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and murder as an act of terrorism, has been receiving significant support despite the gravity of the charges against him.
Some individuals have become so intrigued by Mangione’s case that they’ve developed a fixation on the accused. In response, Mangione’s legal team has created a website featuring frequently asked questions and a message from the accused to his supporters.
In a statement, Mangione addressed those who have reached out to him, saying, “I am overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support.”
He continued, “This support has powerfully transcended political, racial, and class boundaries, with letters flooding MDC from all over the country and the world. While I cannot respond to most of them, please know that I read each one I receive.”
In his statement, Mangione thanked those who had taken the time to write to him, expressing his appreciation for their support. “Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future,” he said.
Following his arrest, several fundraisers for Mangione have surfaced, but many were removed by GoFundMe due to the platform’s policies. According to GoFundMe’s terms and conditions, fundraisers cannot be used for legal defense related to violent crimes, including murder, robbery, assault, and other serious offenses.
As a result, new fundraisers have been launched on the Christian platform GiveSendGo. Alex Shipley, the communications director for the site, defended the decision, saying, “We believe every person is entitled to due process in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion.”
Shipley further clarified, “To be absolutely clear, we do not support or condone vigilante justice. However, people have a constitutional right to a strong legal defense, and access to that defense should not be reserved only for the wealthy or those who fit a particular narrative.”
