Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, has accepted nearly $300,000 for his legal defense.
He's charged with first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, stalking, and other state and federal crimes. Authorities say he gunned down Thompson, a married father of two, in broad daylight.
"Luigi is aware of the fund and very much appreciates the outpouring of support," said his attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo. "My client plans on utilizing it to fight all three of the unprecedented cases against him."
The fundraiser pulled in over $290,000 from more than 10,000 donors, according to a press release.
"It’s shocking that anybody would raise money for a person [accused of killing] someone in cold blood," said Ted Williams, a former homicide detective and Fox News contributor. "There are so many other causes in this country that a person could raise money for."
Williams slammed the supporters, questioning their "mental stability." He called the act "sick" and "appalling."
"I find it sad in America where we can witness one man murdering another man and amplify the murderer," he said. "Yes, a person is innocent until proven guilty. However, all the evidence points directly to him."
The December 4 Legal Committee claims to be a volunteer group of Mangione supporters. Two spokespeople, Sam Beard and Jamie Peck, also run a communist-themed podcast called "Party Girls."
"We’re thrilled that Luigi is accepting these funds so that he can mount the strongest defense possible," Beard said. "The private health insurance industry has ruined lives. It’s no surprise that Luigi’s alleged actions are understood by millions."
Prosecutors say Mangione shot Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel during UnitedHealthcare’s shareholder meeting. They believe it was meant as a statement against the healthcare industry.
Days later, police arrested Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He had taken a bus from New York and was carrying a manifesto at the time of his arrest.
"Luigi Mangione allegedly conducted a carefully premeditated execution to incite national debates," said FBI official James Dennehy. "This alleged plot demonstrates a cavalier attitude toward humanity."
Mangione, 26, is originally from Maryland but has lived in California and Hawaii. He was valedictorian of an elite Baltimore high school and later earned bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania.