Luigi Mangione’s lawyer, Thomas Dickey, mentioned that his client is grateful for the public’s support in assisting with his legal defense. However, Dickey mentioned to CNN’s Kaitlin Collins that it is doubtful that Mangione will agree to accept any financial contributions from the public.
When asked how he was being paid for his services by Collins, Dickey refused to answer.
Mangione was arrested on Monday after being linked to last week’s fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
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Dickey revealed that his staff have gotten offers to pay for Mangione’s legal fees, but it’s unlikely his office would accept their offers.
Dickey explained, “I feel uneasy about it. While my client acknowledges the support he has received, I personally have reservations about it.”
An online fundraiser for Mangione has claimed to raise over $28,000 for his legal defense.
The organizers of the fundraiser clarified their stance by stating, “Our intention is not to glorify violence, but rather to support the fundamental right to proper legal representation.”
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When asked why people were offering to pay for the legal defense of someone accused of killing Thompson, Dickey responded to Collins, “The Supreme Court says all these rich billionaires can give all kinds of money to candidates, and that’s free speech. So maybe these people were exercising their right to free speech and saying that’s the way they’re supporting my client.”
A judge on Tuesday ordered Mangione to remain behind bars, not allowing him to post bail. Dickey said that there was “zero evidence” of Mangione’s guilt, and that he should be allowed to post bond.
