Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate facing murder charges for the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has officially accepted nearly $300,000 in donations toward his legal defense, according to organizers of the December 4 Legal Committee. Mangione is charged in New York, Pennsylvania, and federal court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in New York and has yet to enter pleas in the other jurisdictions.

The December 4 Legal Committee created a GiveSendGo fund that has so far raised more than $292,000 to help Mangione with legal expenses. The group expressed its excitement, stating, “We’re thrilled that Luigi is accepting these funds so he can mount the strongest defense possible.”

Supporters Back Mangione

According to Sam Beard, a spokesperson for the committee, Mangione has garnered significant public support. “The American private health insurance industry has ruined countless lives. It’s no surprise that Luigi’s alleged actions are understood and supported by tens of millions of hard-working Americans,” Beard said in a statement.

Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, confirmed that the funds would be used for his defense in all three cases. The legal committee said it will continue raising money throughout the trial and encouraged supporters to donate and send Mangione letters, books, and even memes.

High-Stakes Trial Awaits

Mangione’s next court appearance is set for February 21 in New York, where he faces 11 charges, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and multiple weapons offenses. If convicted of the federal charge of murder through use of a firearm, he could face the death penalty.

Mangione’s arrest followed a dramatic six-day manhunt that ended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 10. In Pennsylvania, he faces additional charges for carrying a gun without a license and forgery.

The case has drawn national attention, and his trial is being closely watched due to its high stakes and public interest in the healthcare industry’s role in the story.