NEW YORK, NY — Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, broke his silence in a statement published to a website set up by his legal defense team.
The Maryland native who was arrested in connection with the slaying in December, said he is both “overwhelmed” and “grateful for everyone” who has written him, sharing their stories and expressing their support.
“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. “While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.”
“Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future,” he concluded.
The statement was prefaced by a message from his legal team in New York saying that the website was created “due to the extraordinary volume of inquiries and outpouring of support.”
The site will be maintained by the team to provide answers to frequently asked questions, accurate information about his cases, and to “dispel misinformation,” the team said. “The intent is to share factual information regarding the unprecedented, multiple prosecutions against him.”
Mangione’s legal team includes Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo, and Jacob Kaplan from Agnifilo Intrater. In his federal case, Avi Moskowitz of Moskowitz Colson Ginsberg Schulman has been appointed on the federal case, because at least one of the charges carries capital punishment as a potential sentence. He is also represented by Thomas Dickey of Tom Dickey Law Offices in Pennsylvania.
Thompson was gunned down outside of a hotel on Dec. 4, sparking a massive manhunt.
Mangione was later apprehended in Pennsylvania, where he faces five charges, and extradited to New York.
He has been indicted on first-and second-degree murder charges in his New York City case, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg previously said.
The slew of charges also includes criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument, according to prosecutors.
In a statement Bragg said his prosecutors allege Mangione “carried out the brazen, targeted and fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan.”
“This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice,” he said. “I want to extend my heartfelt prayers to Mr. Thompson’s loved ones as they continue to grieve.”
Mangione has pleaded not guilty.
He also faces a federal case in the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York for using a firearm to commit murder, as well as a stalking and a firearm offense.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole if convicted of the top charges in the New York City case, according to prosecutors.
Mangione is due in court on Feb. 21.
David Luces contributed additional reporting to this story.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.