An X post declaring alleged CEO Killer Luigi Mangione a “sex symbol” has received over 50 thousand likes. Who is this man who has been deemed a sexy, Italian vigilante? Furthermore, why do many believe he is facing an unjust trial in New York City for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson?
On Dec. 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in NYC where he was attending a conference. Media quickly picked up the case, as shell casings and a bullet engraved with “DELAY, DENY and DEPOSE” were found on the scene. Before any suspect was identified, social media began praising this CEO Killer. As well as arguing about the ethics of CEOs, social media users also shared their personal struggles with health insurance companies, as seen in this article published by CNN.
The conversation surrounding this case was simple: health care companies are frustrating and corrupt. Watching health care CEOs get rich while declining lifesaving care is a sore spot for many. Many hoped that the shocking act of activism would cause change, or that the suspect would never be caught.
Mangione’s first mugshot surfaced on Dec. 9, the day he was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Penn. That same day Mangione’s social media accounts were stalked post by post—from his friends and family’s Instagram accounts to Mangione’s personal Goodreads, people wanted to know more. An image on Mangione’s X banner of him hiking, notably shirtless, made its rounds. X accounts, including a new “Luigi Mangione update account” officially weighed in, declaring that Mangione was both an alleged murderer and “hot.”
Before Mangione’s arrest, the question of whether any jury would convict him as guilty was already being mulled over by officials. The public response seemed clear. Many have struggled to receive care from health care insurance companies, and many blame those at the top of this food chain. However, the moment Mangione’s mugshot was released a third push for Mangione’s freedom appeared; people liked the idea of a sexy, Italian vigilante.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to charges including stalking, using a firearm to commit murder and murder as an act of terrorism. While he is currently being held in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, his supporters have found ways to make their stance on it clear. Whether these supporters stand with Mangione’s stance on the health care industry or simply want to be his valentine is unclear, but his lawyer, Thomas Dickey, noted his support at a press conference: “My client appreciates the support he has.”
The support comes in many forms, from fan edits circulating TikTok, fans showing up outside his prison and reports of letters and emails being received. Possibly the most helpful come in the form of $300,000 being raised to help with Mangione’s defense team legal fees.
Unfortunately for #teamluigi, Mangione is being charged on a federal level, which carries the possibility of the death penalty, a controversial topic in America’s political environment today. According to available data, UnitedHealthcare denied 39% of medical claims in 2023. It is possible that prosecutors are threatened by the support Mangione has received and worry that they will not be able to find a jury to convict him. A null jury can occur when a jury believes that the defendant is guilty but still chooses to vote “not guilty.” Reasons a null jury could possibly be a concern in this case may have arisen from Mangione’s unprecedented support, jury members believing the act was justified due to personal issues with the healthcare industry or issues regarding Mangione having a fair trial.
One of Mangione’s lawyers, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, has raised concerns about how Mangione was “perp walked” when brought into NYC and his right to a free trial. After images of a shackled Mangione followed by dozens of law enforcement circulated, Agnifilo stated, “Your Honor, he’s not a symbol. He is somebody who is afforded the right to a fair trial, he’s innocent until proven guilty.” Social media users responded to NYC Mayor Eric Adams being in attendance for Mangione’s arrival, stating, “Luigi’s attorney calling out Eric Adams for being a part of the ridiculous perp walk just to distract from his own legal trouble that he’s facing was perfectly well said. he’s in good hands.” These concerns are in regard to how Mangione is innocent until proven guilty, yet it appears as if he is being paraded around like a guilty man.
It started with a movement to realize how greedy health insurance companies are and how Americans have been negatively impacted, but has turned into the question “could an alleged murderer possibly go free because he is hot?” Some responses have remained centered around health care. Ethal Cain posted “Kill more CEOs” on her Instagram story in response to creating change, alluding to the Thompson case.
The question of whether Mangione will go free is up to the jurors. Let’s be thankful that an attractive man is leading the discussion against corrupt medical insurance companies because that means this conversation may stick. Without such conversation around Thompson’s death, conversations about the greed of CEOs may not have caused the political moment we are seeing in America now. Without Mangione’s face making rounds on every social media platform, this conversation may have fizzled out after a week like many trends on social media. For those who are concerned about Mangione already being portrayed as guilty, there may be hope still. A null jury in this trial may simply be all it takes. A “not guilty” verdict may indicate that the jury is taking Mangione’s right to fair trial seriously. One jury member who wishes to make a statement to health care companies could be the difference. While no one should walk free from crime because of a pretty face, Mangione’s popularization on social media is just another addition to his appeal to the public. His features alone have become the fight against medical insurance corruption, and that may just be the very thing that gets people to understand the argument against CEOs.
Questions of fair trials, the power of attractiveness and whether people truly want change in the health care industry are playing out before our eyes. Change requires a movement, and fortunately for Mangione it seems that a movement led by a pretty face can be powerful. While Mangione faces the wrath of the legal system, hopefully people will wake up to the true issue at hand, greed in the health care industry.
