A heart-shaped note of support was discreetly placed in socks prepared for Luigi Mangione to wear to court last month for the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder trial, prosecutors revealed in a document released on Wednesday. The court officer intercepted the note, which encouraged the incarcerated defendant to know that many people are rooting for him, Manhattan prosecutors stated in response to recent requests from Mangione’s defense team. Among these requests was a plea for a laptop so that he could review legal documents in his cell while awaiting trial for the December shooting death of Brian Thompson, 50, outside a midtown hotel where the health insurance company was hosting an investor conference. Mangione, aged 26, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers were contacted for comment on the prosecutors’ document.
Prosecutor Joel Seidemann objected to the laptop request, arguing that providing special treatment to the defendant was already done by allowing Mangione to change into clothes brought by his legal team for the February 21 hearing, instead of wearing a jail uniform like most defendants. Mangione, a figure of sympathy for those frustrated by health insurance issues and high medical costs, had a group of supporters at the hearing, some wearing green attire in solidarity with the character Luigi from the “Mario Bros.” video game franchise. Wearing a green sweater as requested by his supporters, Mangione stood out in court.
Despite the support he received, some individuals, including certain officials, have criticized the admiration for Mangione, viewing it as glorifying violence and vigilantism. The heart-shaped note, along with another addressed to “Joan,” was discovered hidden in a piece of cardboard in a new pair of Argyle socks. The origin of the notes remains unknown, as prosecutors did not provide further details. Although Mangione initially wore the socks, he later removed them because he felt they didn’t look good. He appeared in court in loafers, with his bare ankles restrained. Apart from the Manhattan case, Mangione is facing federal charges related to Thompson’s murder and state-level charges in Pennsylvania for gun possession and other offenses. He has not yet entered pleas in those cases.
