A fundraiser for Luigi Mangione's legal defense fund has received nearly $100,000 within the past four days following his court appearance on Friday.
In total, donors on GiveSendGo have given over $610,000 to the fund as of Monday afternoon. When Mangione made his first court appearance of the year on Friday, donations totaled around $520,000.
Why It Matters
Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan on December 4, 2024.
Mangione was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a five-day manhunt. At the federal level, he is charged with two counts of stalking, one count of murder through use of a firearm and a firearms offense. He is also facing state charges in New York and Pennsylvania. Mangione has plead not guilty.
The 26-year-old suspect has received social media posts in support, comments about his attractiveness, young women attending court sessions, and even depictions comparing him to Jesus.
What To Know
The prosecution and defense met with the judge on Friday to discuss the status of Mangione's New York state case.
During the proceedings, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a lawyer representing Mangione, spoke about the difficulties the defense is facing while attempting to fight multiple cases in multiple jurisdictions.
"There are three separate prosecutions that are happening about one event, and there's a Pennsylvania matter, there's a federal matter, there's a New York matter, all three of which will involve discovery," she said, adding that the defense still had not received "the bulk of the discovery."
Friedman Agnifilo also objected to setting a motion schedule as federal authorities weigh whether to pursue the death penalty against Mangione.
The new donations for Mangione's defense fund include $30,000 from an anonymous donor, which is the largest donation currently listed on the fundraiser. The donor said the case is "likely politicized."
The donor wrote in part: "...Makes me highly doubtful of any claimed evidence and pursuit of capital punishment. CP, esp, would personally & strongly tilt me in favor of defense; the motives are suspect & due process lacking."
Other donations on the page, provided by over 18,000 people, mostly range from $10 to $100.
The donation page was set up by The December 4th Legal Committee whose goal is to raise $1 million.
"This is a preemptive legal fundraiser for the suspect allegedly involved in the shooting of the United Healthcare CEO. We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation," the GiveSendGo page reads.
What People Are Saying
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, in a statement posted to Mangione's website: "Luigi is aware of the fund and very much appreciates the outpouring of support. My client plans on utilizing it to fight all three of the unprecedented cases against him."
Luigi Mangione in a statement posted on his website: "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."
What Happens Next?
Mangione's next appearance in federal court is scheduled for March 19. Meanwhile, his next court date in his New York state case is set for June 26.
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