Mangione supporters raise tens of thousands of dollars for legal defense

[KARAH RUCKER]

SUPPORTERS OF LUIGI MANGIONE, THE SUSPECT IN THE KILLING OF UNITED HEALTHCARE C-E-O BRAIN THOMPSON, ARE RAISING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FUND HIS LEGAL DEFENSE.

THE DEVELOPMENT IS ADDING TO FEARS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT MANGIONE IS BEING TURNED INTO A “MARTYR” AMID RISING THREATS AGAINST OTHER C-E-O’S IN THE WAKE OF THOMPSON’S MURDER.

SEVERAL ONLINE DEFENSE FUNDS HAVE POPPED UP FOR MANGIONE BY ANONYMOUS USERS.

INCLUDING ONE ON THE CROWDFUNDING SITE GIVE-SEND-GO, WHICH AS OF THURSDAY, RAISED MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM NEARLY 15-HUNDRED DONORS.

THE DEFENSE FUND HAS DUBBED ITSELF “THE DECEMBER 4TH LEGAL COMMITTEE” AN APPARENT REFERENCE TO THE DAY INVESTIGATORS SAY MANGIONE GUNNED DOWN THOMPSON ON THE STREETS OF MANHATTAN.

THE ORGANIZER SAYS THEY DON’T SUPPORT VIOLENCE BUT BELIEVE “IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FAIR LEGAL REPRESENTATION.”

GIVE-SEND-GO RESPONDED TO THE FUND, SAYING IT TAKES CONCERNS WITH THE CAMPAIGN SERIOUSLY, BUT NOTING, IT ALLOWS LEGAL DEFENSE FUNDS AS IT BELIEVES IN “DUE PROCESS.”

OTHER CROWDFUNDING WEBSITES LIKE GO-FUND-ME HAVE TAKEN DOWN MANGIONE FUNDING EFFORTS.

THE COMPANY STATING IT BARS “FUNDRAISERS FOR THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF VIOLENT CRIMES.”

MANGIONE’S ATTORNEY SAYS WHILE HIS CLIENT SHOULD BE PRESUMED INNOCENT, HE NOTED, HE DOESN’T FEEL COMFORTABLE ACCEPTING MONEY FROM MANGIONE’S SUPPORTERS FOR HIS DEFENSE.

REDDIT IS ALSO TAKING ACTION AGAINST USERS POSTING WHAT INVESTIGATORS SAY IS MANGIONE’S MANIFESTO.

TAKING DOWN AND RESTRICTING LINKS TO THE DOCUMENT.

SAYING IT VIOLATES THE COMPANY’S POLICY REGARDING VIOLENT CONTENT.

WHILE SOME USERS ACCUSED THE PLATFORM OF CENSORSHIP.

WHILE MANY HAVE PRAISED MANGIONE’S ALLEGED ACTIONS, MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALVIN BRAGG CALLED THE SUPPORT “DEEPLY DISTURBING.”

PROSECUTORS IN NEW YORK CITY ARE WORKING TO SECURE AN INDICTMENT AGAINST MANGIONE, WHO IS STILL IN CUSTODY IN PENNSYLVANIA.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M KARAH RUCKER.