Luigi Mangione Receives Nearly $300K for Legal Defense After Accepting Donations From Crowdfunding Campaign

Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has raked in nearly $300,000 in donations from a wave of supporters who see him not as a suspected criminal but as an anti-corporation folk hero.

The contributions were raised through a GiveSendGo campaign organized by the December 4 Legal Committee.

"We're thrilled that Luigi is accepting these funds so that he can mount the strongest defense possible," Sam Beard, a spokesperson for the group, said in a statement per The Independent. "The American private health insurance industry has ruined countless lives by denying people access to basic care and burying families in medical debt. It's no surprise that Luigi's alleged actions are understood and supported by tens of millions of hard-working Americans."

"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," Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, previously said.

The December 4 Legal Committee vowed to continue fundraising efforts and is asking supporters to not just donate but send messages of encouragement.

"We encourage his millions of supporters to find creative and public ways to advocate for him during his time behind bars, in addition to donating and sending him mail. He loves to receive letters, memes, and books," the group stated.

Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, pleaded not guilty to murder and terrorism charges in New York. He was arrested on December 10 at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a six-day manhunt. He faces criminal charges in New York, Pennsylvania, and federal court, with his next court appearance scheduled for February 21.

At the federal level, Mangione could face the death penalty if convicted of murder through the use of a firearm, though it remains unclear if prosecutors will pursue it.