Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024, has accepted nearly $300,000 in donations for his criminal defense. Mangione faces charges of first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism, stalking, and other state and federal charges in New York and Pennsylvania.
Mangione's lead defense attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, stated that Mangione appreciates the support and plans to use the funds to fight the charges against him. The fundraiser, organized by the December 4 Legal Committee, received over $290,000 from more than 10,000 individual donations.
Former Washington, D.C., homicide detective and criminal trial attorney Ted Williams expressed shock at the fundraising efforts, questioning the moral implications of supporting a murder suspect. Williams criticized the act as 'sick' and raised concerns about the mental stability of those contributing to Mangione's defense fund.
The December 4 Legal Committee, a group of volunteers supporting Mangione, defended the fundraising, linking Mangione's alleged actions to grievances against the private health insurance industry. Mangione is accused of shooting Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel during a shareholder conference, with prosecutors believing the act was intended to spark national debates.
Upon Mangione's arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, police discovered a manifesto on his person, outlining his motives for the alleged crime. FBI Assistant Director James Dennehy condemned Mangione's actions as a callous disregard for human life.
Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, graduated with honors from the Gilman School in Baltimore and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania. The case continues to unfold as Mangione prepares to face trial for the charges brought against him.
