Summary
Luigi Mangione, charged with the December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, released his first public statement through a new website launched by his defense team.
He expressed gratitude for widespread support and acknowledged the letters he has received. The website provides case updates and a fundraiser, which has raised over $400,000.
Mangione has gained a following among those frustrated with the U.S. healthcare system. A poll found 41% of voters under 30 viewed the assassination as acceptable.
His next court date is Feb. 21.
Make up your own mind based on the facts and their justifications, but the reason the rules are like that in court is because punishing people for crimes they didn’t commit is injustice, even if you don’t ever find the actual culprit.
I think maybe they played too much Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, wherein the defendant is guilty until proven innocent AND you identify the actually guilty party. Yes, really. You still lose in that game even in the event that you can definitively prove your client’s innocence if you don’t also turn in the actual culprit. That’s how this guy thinks the justice system should work.
The sad thing is that a victims family will grasp at anything to have who they think the killer is be put behind bars.
But it’s better to let an innocent person walk than get the wrong person, even if it leaves the family devastated.
Hot take.