The alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson has broken his silence two months after his brazen assassination shocked the country.
Luigi Mangione, 26, is accused of gunning down the giant health insurer’s chief executive outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4.
Details have leaked from prison of his reaction to his polarizing notoriety, but he made no public statements other than to plead not guilty – until now.
Mangione’s lawyers, from Agnifilo Intrater, set up a website documenting his case, including a message from the killer thanking his fans.
‘I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,’ he said.
‘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.’
Luigi Mangione has broken his silence two months after his brazen assassination shocked the country
Mangione, 26, gunned down the giant health insurer’s chief executive, Brian Thompson outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4
Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at point-blank range on December 4
Mangione has been imprisoned at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since soon after his arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9.
His lawyers, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo, and Jacob Kaplan, also made a statement on the website.
‘Due to the extraordinary volume of inquiries and outpouring of support, this site was created and is maintained by Luigi Mangione’s New York legal defense team to provide answers to frequently asked questions, accurate information about his cases, and dispel misinformation,’ it read.
‘The intent is to share factual information regarding the unprecedented, multiple prosecutions against him.’
Mangione is fighting murder and terrorism charges in New York state, and federal second-degree murder and weapons charges.
He next faces court on February 21 in Manhattan on the state charges.
Mangione is escorted by police in New York on December 19
Mangione, despite being an accused cold-blooded murderer, has divided opinion since his identity was revealed at his arrest.
Many revere him as a hero for striking against UnitedHealthcare, the country’s biggest health insurer that denies the most claims by percentage, and the American health system in general.
Shell casings found at the scene were engraved with ‘delay’, ‘deny’, and ‘depose’ in reference to American health insurance tactics.
More than $400,000 has been raised by ‘sick’ fans who made it their mission to support his ongoing legal battle.
‘The American private health insurance industry has ruined countless lives by denying people access to basic care and burying families in medical debt,’ the December 4 Legal Committee backing the fundraiser said.
‘It’s no surprise that Luigi’s alleged actions are understood and supported by tens of millions of hard-working Americans.’
His support is also helped by his good looks, and many of his fans want him released from jail and the charges dropped.
Instead, he faces execution if he is convicted in the federal case.
Mangione, seen on Monday in court, knows he has become a world-famous sensation
Mangione was detained on firearm charges and was carrying a ‘ghost gun’, believed to have been made with a 3D printer, when he was arrested.
Prosecutors alleged the gun was the same seen in CCTV footage where a hooded figure shot Thompson in the leg and back from behind.
He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, according to federal prosecutors.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the application of the terrorism law reflected the severity of a ‘frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation
Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.
