Since his capture in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December, Luigi Mangione has received support from across the country — and the world.
Mangione, 26, is facing murder and terrorism charges in connection with Thompson’s fatal shooting in New York on Dec. 4.
The severity of the charges against Mangione hasn’t dissuaded reams of supporters from turning him into an icon among Americans frustrated with their healthcare system. The accused killer’s supporters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for his legal defense.
Brian Thompson (left); and suspect in his shooting.
UnitedHealth Group; NYPD
Now, in a new documentary set to air on Investigation Discovery, WHO IS LUIGI MANGIONE?, radio show host Dan Abrams says he faced backlash for denouncing the growing support for the alleged killer.
Abrams says in the documentary streaming Monday, Feb. 17, that when he denounced the support for the suspect, he was “yelled” at by Mangione’s supporters.
“I hosted a call-in radio show,” he says in the documentary. “And when I talked about the fact that it is abhorrent that people are trying to defend him, almost every caller called in to yell at me.”
The documentary, which features interviews with experts and those close to Mangione, also features clips from Mangione’s supporters who called into Abrams’ show.
Dan Abrams On Luigi Mangione | IDnormal
“From what I know now, I’d say yes he is [a hero], we’ll see what the end outcome is,” says one caller, repeating “absolutely” as Abrams reiterates that Mangione has been accused of murder.
“I guess you guys just missed the real news, and the fact that there’s tens of thousands of people that dying every year because of this damn greed,” another caller says, in an apparent reference to insurance companies.
“It’s gonna happen even more, and I guarantee you, you’re won’t find a unanimous jury to convict this guy,” the caller continues.
“I think it is shameful to somehow blame Brian Thompson for his own murder, and that is what a lot of people are going,”
In his first public statement since coming into the public eye, Mangione said over the weekend he is “overwhelmed” and “grateful” for the support he has received.
“Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded [the Metropolitan Detention Center] from across the country, and around the globe,” he said in the statement.
“While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive,” he wrote, adding a note of thanks for those who have written to him.
Mangione faces federal murder charges that could land him the death penalty, as well as state murder charges that accuse him of committing an act of terrorism.
He has pleaded not guilty to the state charges, and is currently being held pretrial at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
WHO IS LUIGI MANGIONE? premieres on Monday, February 17 at 8/7c on Investigation Discovery and will stream on Max.
