Luigi Mangione fundraiser says perp walk 'backfired'
The perp walk of Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, may have backfired on authorities, according to the organizer of an online campaign that has raised more than $700,000 for Mangione.
Sam Beard, the spokesperson for the December 4th Legal Committee responsible for the fundraiser, made the comments during an upcoming series on the "Law & Crime" podcast, which is set to air Monday, according to reporting from The Guardian.
Beard noted that the campaign exceeded its target by more than double once the public witnessed officials "treating him like Hannibal Lecter," alluding to the iconic fictional serial killer from the film "The Silence of the Lambs."
“To just demonstrate the sheer power of this state and … to really just show how captured and how small this person is … a lot of us feel like that maybe backfired,” the organizer said.
He also discussed the moment Mangione was extradited to New York following his arrest in Pennsylvania after being spotted at a McDonald's and later found by police with incriminating evidence. He mentioned how a large contingent of New York police officers, some armed with body armor and rifles, welcomed the shackled suspect at the helicopter where he arrived and then took him to a waiting vehicle.
The perp walk scene, which unfolded about two weeks after the shooting outside the Hilton Midtown hotel where Thompson was set to attend an annual investors meeting, featured Mangione dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit surrounded by law enforcement. New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) was also present.
“We just saw how spectacular they really made that moment,” Beard said.
The group initiated a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo with an initial target of $200,000. However, it exceeded that amount by more than $150,000 and later raised the goal to $500,000.
The group said it does not support violence but expressed its support for Mangione's constitutional right to a fair trial. The suspect's legal team is reportedly collecting the donations on his behalf.
Mangione is facing 16 charges in New York and Pennsylvania, including first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. He has already pleaded not guilty to the state charges.
He is also facing four federal charges including murder, a firearms charge and two counts of stalking, according to the complaint.
-
Toronto police search for suspects after mass shooting at pub opening
Toronto police are searching for three armed suspects after a mass shooting at a pub’s opening night left 12 people injured, including six hit by gunfire. Authorities say there were no fatalities, ...NBC News - Mar. 8 -
Suspect in Slovak premier's attempted assassination is indicted on terror charges
Prosecutors in Slovakia says the suspect in the attempted assassination of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico last year has been indicted on terror chargesABC News - 4d -
Rembrandt’s Amsterdam – walking the Amstel River 750 years after the city’s birth
To celebrate this significant milestone, our writer follows the flow of the artist’s inspiration, taking in sights that would have been familiar to the Old Master. For visitors in search of scenic ...The Guardian - Mar. 13 -
Napoli’s Decision to Keep PSG Star Last Summer Backfires as Lille Demand €60M for Barcelona, Man Utd Target
Napoli sold Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the winter transfer window. However, the Serie A side hurt their interest by not selling the Georgian attack during last year’s summer window.Last summer, ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Teens charged with murder in fatal hit-and-run of bicyclist captured on video
Police say a 13-year-old boy has been charged with murder in a fatal hit-and-run of a bicyclist heading to work in Albuquerque that was captured on video from inside the stolen carABC News - 3d -
Abuse would lead me to walk away from Man Utd, says Ratcliffe
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he would walk away if he gets "abused" by fans in the same way the Glazer family have.BBC News - 6d -
Police arrest man in fatal knife attack on a YouTuber during livestreaming on Tokyo street
Police in Japan say they have arrested a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a YouTuber while she was livestreaming on a downtown Tokyo streetABC News - Mar. 13 -
Nvidia CEO says he was wrong about timeline for quantum, surprised his comments hurt stocks
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Thursday walked back comments he made in January, when he cast doubt on whether useful quantum computers would hit the market in the next 15 years.NBC News - 11h -
14-Year-Old Boy Arrested in Connection With Fatal Newark Police Shooting
The boy, who has not been named, was charged with murder, attempted murder and possessing illegal weapons. The officer who died early Saturday morning was identified as Detective Joseph Azcona.The New York Times - Mar. 8
More from The Hill
-
Trump axes security clearances for political foes, including Hillary Clinton, Harris, Cheney
President Trump axed security clearances and revoked access to classified information for several political figures on Friday, including his election rivals Hillary Clinton and former Vice ...The Hill - 38m -
Trump administration sued over shuttering of VOA
The Voice of America (VOA) workers, reporters, unions and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, contending that shuttering the U.S.-funded news agencies ...The Hill - 1h -
Burchett calls for government transparency on UAPs, spending: 'We deserve to know'
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) called for the government to reveal what it's spending taxpayer money on relating to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) amid growing calls from lawmakers for increased ...The Hill - 2h -
24 House Democrats blast SBA over plans to relocate 6 regional offices
A group of 24 House Democrats blasted the Small Business Administration (SBA) and is asking the agency for more answers over plans to relocate six of its regional offices out of “sanctuary cities,” ...The Hill - 3h -
Watch live: Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez take 'Fight Oligarchy' tour to Denver
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are in Denver on Friday, holding a rally in protest of President Trump's policies that they argue favor the rich. The event ...The Hill - 5h
More in Politics
-
Trump axes security clearances for political foes, including Hillary Clinton, Harris, Cheney
President Trump axed security clearances and revoked access to classified information for several political figures on Friday, including his election rivals Hillary Clinton and former Vice ...The Hill - 38m -
Disease-sniffing dogs and trainers part of DOGE cuts
The recent DOGE cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture include specialized K-9's who are trained to check food for any diseases. NBC News' Gadi Schwartz talks to co-founder of K9 ...NBC News - 1h -
Democrats facing outrage from constituents at town halls
Democrats are facing outrage from their constituents at town halls who believe their elected officials are not doing enough to counter the Trump administration's agenda. NBC News' Julie Tsirkin has ...NBC News - 1h -
Trump administration sued over shuttering of VOA
The Voice of America (VOA) workers, reporters, unions and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, contending that shuttering the U.S.-funded news agencies ...The Hill - 1h -
Burchett calls for government transparency on UAPs, spending: 'We deserve to know'
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) called for the government to reveal what it's spending taxpayer money on relating to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) amid growing calls from lawmakers for increased ...The Hill - 2h