Online Legal Defense Fund for Alleged CEO Killer Luigi Mangione Surpasses $1 Million

Luigi Mangione attorneys seek dismissal of state murder caseHis defense attorney said “prosecutorial one-upmanship” resulted in Mangione facing state and federal charges in New York and separate charges in Pennsylvania.Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP

Hoosier Enquirer, May 7, 2025

An online legal defense fund for Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, has surpassed a staggering $1 million in grassroots donations as he prepares for his next court appearance in June. The crowdfunding campaign, hosted on the platform GiveSendGo and organized by an anonymous group called “The December 4th Legal Committee,” has drawn over 28,000 individual contributions, with a median donation of $20, reflecting widespread public support for Mangione’s legal battle.

Mangione, who pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, is accused of ambushing Thompson on December 4, 2024, outside the New York Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The high-profile killing, which sparked a five-day manhunt, has polarized public opinion. While authorities, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, have condemned the celebration of the crime as “abhorrent,” Mangione’s supporters view him as a symbol of resistance against the for-profit healthcare system.

The GiveSendGo campaign, which reached the $1 million milestone on Mangione’s 27th birthday, May 6, 2025, has become a lightning rod for public frustration with the U.S. healthcare system. Donors, many anonymous, have left messages championing Mangione’s right to a fair trial and criticizing corporate greed. One donor, contributing $27 to mark Mangione’s birthday, wrote, “This whole case is unjust and an insult to the intelligence of all. Free healthcare for the American people.” Another called the healthcare system “cruel, exploitative, and outright bizarre.” Sam Beard, a spokesperson for the December 4th Legal Committee, described Mangione as a “contemporary folk hero” whose story resonates with millions disillusioned by systemic inequities.

The fund, which will cover expenses for Mangione’s three pending criminal cases—state and federal charges in New York and gun-related charges in Pennsylvania—has drawn scrutiny from law enforcement. Authorities worry that Mangione is being martyred, pointing to “wanted posters” targeting other executives and social media “hit lists” advocating for violence against CEOs. Merchandise like T-shirts and tote bags bearing slogans such as “Free Luigi” and “Deny, Defend, Depose”—words etched on shell casings at the crime scene—has been removed from platforms like Amazon and Etsy.

Unlike GiveSendGo, which defends its decision to host the campaign by emphasizing due process, other crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe have shut down similar fundraisers, citing policies against supporting the legal defense of violent crimes. GiveSendGo’s spokesperson stated, “We allow campaigns for legal defense funds, as we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access due process.”

Mangione, currently held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, has received an outpouring of support beyond donations. His legal team, led by prominent New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, reports that he receives 10 to 115 letters daily from supporters worldwide. At recent court appearances, dozens of fans, including many young women, have gathered outside, chanting “Free Luigi” and holding signs reading “People over profits.”

The case has raised complex questions about public sentiment, the justice system, and the healthcare industry. Critics, including Bragg, argue that glorifying Mangione’s actions undermines the gravity of the crime and the loss of life. Supporters, however, see the fund as a stand against a “weaponized” legal system serving the interests of the elite. Legal experts note that fighting multiple prosecutions, especially with potential death penalty implications in the federal case, requires substantial resources, even for someone like Mangione, who comes from a prominent Maryland family.

As Mangione’s next state court hearing approaches on June 26, 2025, and with a federal court date set for December, the defense fund’s success underscores deep public discontent. Whether viewed as a folk hero or a dangerous vigilante, Mangione’s case has ignited a broader conversation about justice, healthcare, and the power of collective action in the digital age.

Disclaimer: The Hoosier Enquirer encourages readers to critically examine all perspectives and recognize that legal proceedings are ongoing. Mangione remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.