Featured Image Credit: Pool/Getty
Topics: Luigi Mangione, News, US News
Gerrard Kaonga
Last year, Luigi Mangione was arrested as the suspect in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and has now addressed the support he has received in a statement.
Brian Thompson was shot and killed after stepping out of a New York hotel on December 4 with video surveillance capturing the moment he was attacked.
A few days later, after the police called on the public to help identify the alleged shooter, Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania after being recognized by a McDonald’s employee.
He was then extradited back to NYC and the 26-year-old was charged with the CEO’s murder and pleaded not guilty in front of a court in late December.
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He faces 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.
Despite these charges Mangione has received ongoing support from people around the world with some people even becoming obsessed with the alleged assassin.
A new website has been created by Mangione’s legal team that provides answers to frequently asked questions in addition to having a message from the accused to his supporters.
In a statement he spoke directly to them and said: “I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their 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. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.
“Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.”
Multiple fundraisers have been popping up since Mangione’s arrest with the website GoFundMe explaining the decision to take many of them down.
GoFundMe's terms and conditions clearly state that fundraisers can't be used for 'the legal defense of financial and violent crimes, including those related to money laundering, murder, robbery, assault, battery, sex crimes or crimes against minors'.
This then resulted in fundraisers being started on Christian site GiveSendGo with the communications director Alex Shipley defending this controversial move.
He has previously said: "We believe every person is entitled to due process in a court of law — not in the court of public opinion.
“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.”