A defense fund for Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has raised over $100,000 as of now. Supporters have been donating to the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo fundraiser to fund his defense while prosecutors build a case against him. This is one among many anonymous funds started online since the suspect’s arrest on December 9.
Reportedly, the killer gunned down Thompson with a silenced gun on a Midtown Manhattan street outside a hotel on December 4. ABC News stated that the incident occurred while the CEO walked to a shareholders’ meeting at the New York Hilton Hotel.
UnitedHealthcare CEO’s suspected killer receives financial support online
As of Monday afternoon, Luigi Mangione’s GiveSendGo online defense fund has raised $127,540, passing far beyond its halfway mark. An anonymous group called The December 4th Legal Committee, referring to the day of Brian Thompson’s murder, launched the funding to raise money for the suspect’s defense. In the fundraiser’s description, the group noted in a statement that they “are not here to celebrate violence.” They then clarified their intention of supporting Mangione’s “constitutional right of fair legal representation.”
Several individuals have anonymously donated and continue to donate to the crowdfunding with a goal of $200,000. A representative for GiveSendGo told ABC News GiveSendGo that their platform “does not adjudicate legal matters or the validity of causes.” However, the spokesperson mentioned that they “allow campaigns to remain live” if they do not overstep the company’s standing terms and conditions. “Importantly, we do allow campaigns for legal defense funds, as we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access due process,” stated the spokesperson.
Besides the GiveSendGo fundraiser, GoFundMe also removed campaigns seeking to raise defense funds for Luigi Mangione. Amazon and Etsy have also taken down certain merchandise from their websites that either featured Mangione or writings such as “Free Luigi” or “Deny, Defend, Depose.” The latter phrase was written on the shell casing police found at the scene of the crime.
Mangione’s attorney, Thomas Dickey, has refused to accept funds supporters have raised. In addition, Dickey also stated that Mangione will plead not guilty to all charges brought against him. These counts include murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a forged document, and third-degree criminal possession of a firearm.
