Luigi Mangione’s fans are expressing outrage online that the alleged assassin could face the death penalty after being indicted on federal charges in Manhattan.
The alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was charged Thursday with federal crimes of murder, stalking and weapons violations, escalating the case after his indictment on state charges.
While the death penalty has been outlawed in New York for decades, the federal charges against Mangione, 26, could mean he’s sent to death row, though prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty in the case.
News that Mangione could face the death penalty has only heightened fascination with the alleged killer, with people posting fan art that depicts him as a religious figure. One of these images was even posted near the scene of Thompson’s murder.
Many online are claiming Mangione is facing worse punishment that hardened criminals and school shooters, speculating that the government wants to make an example out of him and prevent some sort of revolt against corporate America.
One X post read: ‘They wanna give Luigi Mangione the death penalty. That’s the only reason they making him face federal charges.
‘They literally wanna kill him for daring to threaten capitalism and corporate greed. They don’t even do this to school shooters.’
Another X user added: ‘Very few school shooters have gotten the death penalty. Yet the U.S. is trying to charge Luigi Mangione so he gets the death penalty for killing one man. You can kill dozens of kids and get a lesser sentence because their lives don’t matter as much as a CEO’s. That’s America.’
Fans of Luigi Mangione have expressed outrage online about him possibly facing the death penalty. He is seen arriving in Manhattan on Thursday
Some are pointing out that the government’s handling of Mangione, which included a perp walk straight out of a Hollywood film, is only increasing the public’s fixation on him.
One X user said: ‘luigi stepping out with a fresh cut/shave, possible death penalty charges, and an nypd photoshoot is the craziest thing in the world. are they actively trying to make him a martyr? whether you’re for or against him, they’re making it SO easy for everyone to lionize him’
Another X user said: ‘They are trying to prosecute Luigi Mangione for the Death Penalty and I don’t think they realize how idiotic of a decision they are making if they decide to pull through with it. The government is setting itself up for its own demise.’
A reply to that tweet said: ‘totally agree , literally setting themselves up to have a martyr for the cause… did they never watch hunger games?! he is our mockingjay.’
On Thursday Mangione was taken on a private plane from Pennsylvania to New York after he waived extradition in a hearing in Pennsylvania. Mangione was then switched to a helicopter and flown to downtown Manhattan to be indicted for murder charges. He has since been ordered held in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
The newly unsealed federal indictment against Mangione includes more details of the notes police say they found on his notebook when he was arrested last week – including his desire to ‘wack’ the CEO of an insurance company.
Mangione repeatedly wrote about his disdain for the health insurance industry and its executives, per prosecutors. In an entry from August 15, Mangione allegedly wrote how ‘the details are finally coming together’ and that ‘the target is insurance’ because’ it checks every box.’
The NYPD put up a huge show of force as Mangione landed on a Manhattan helipad
On October 22, Mangione allegedly wrote: ‘1.5 months. This investor conference is a true windfall… and – most importantly – the message becomes self evident.’ In the same entry, Mangione describes his intent to ‘wack’ the CEO of an insurance company.
Mangione appeared in Manhattan court wearing street clothes — a white button-down shirt, navy three-quarter zip pullover and khaki pants. He had no shackles on his hand but there were shackles around his ankles.
He was received at a downtown NYC helipad by dozens of armed NYPD officers as well as mayor Eric Adams and police commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Earlier on Thursday, fans with placards in Pennsylvania flocked to see the alleged killer whose good looks have made him a pin-up for some internet users, outraging many others appalled by Mangione’s alleged crimes.
At least two of them were dressed as Luigi from the Super Mario Bros video game.
Several TikTok users shared on the platform that they had driven as much as six hours to attend the court appearance.
Some reportedly flew in from as far as California to support the alleged assassin.
Mangione, center, sits in court reading the federal complaint while wearing orange slip on shoes and his ankles shackled in Manhattan federal court
Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at point-blank range on December 5
Protesters showed up outside the Pennsylvania court to support Mangione on Thursday
The alleged murderer waived a preliminary hearing on the Pennsylvania forgery and gun charges in exchange for the prosecutor giving him a 20-page investigative report from the Altoona Police Department. Mangione also agreed to be extradited to New York.
Earlier this week, he was indicted on charges of murder as an act of terrorism, under a NY state law that allows for stiffer sentences when a killing is aimed at terrifying civilians or influencing government.
Mangione, of Towson, Maryland, was arrested on December 9 when police were called to a McDonald’s restaurant on a commercial strip in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after he was reported to match the description of Thompson’s killer.
Thompson was gunned down on the street as he walked to the hotel where his Minnesota-based company was holding an investor conference.
The shooting was captured on security video, but the suspect eluded police before Mangione was captured about 277 miles west of New York.
Authorities say Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport, a fake ID and about $10,000 in U.S. and foreign currency.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk