Remember this handsome man who, despite being accused of murder, people came to his defense mainly because of how sexy he is? Luigi Mangione now says he's "grateful" for the support he's received after being accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
In a first public statement posted on a new website created by his legal defense team on Friday, Mangione wrote: "I am shocked and grateful to everyone who has written to me to share their stories and express their support."
“Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divides, as mail has flooded the MDC [Metropolitan Detention Center, where he is currently behind bars] from across the country and around the globe,” he continued.
"While it is impossible for me to respond to most letters, please know that I read all of the ones I receive," Mangione added. "Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future."
Mangione's legal team said in a statement on the website that the site was created "to provide answers to frequently asked questions, accurate information about his cases and to dispel misinformation."
Mangione's statement was shared ahead of his next court hearing date, which is scheduled to be held on Friday, February 21.
He previously pleaded not guilty to federal murder charges in late December, after Thompson was shot and killed on December 4. Mangione is currently being held in Brooklyn, in the same prison where Sean "Diddy" Combs is also serving his sentence .
Earlier this week, Mangione accepted $297,000 in donations to cover his legal bills from the December 4th Legal Committee, which is running a GiveSendGo fundraiser for his legal defense, according to a post shared by the group. (A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to PEOPLE that the post was authentic.) The committee — named after Thompson’s death date — said the donations came from more than 10,000 individual supporters.
Mangione was arrested on December 9, after an informant called police at a local McDonald's.
His federal murder charges could carry the death penalty, and he also faces state murder charges that accuse him of committing an act of terrorism. (Mangione has also pleaded not guilty to the state charges.)
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Source: People
