Luigi Mangione, a name that needs almost no introduction, has officially been charged with the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. As the trial is underway, people around the country have taken a stand since Dec. 4, calling to “Free Luigi” for more than just his good looks.
According to ABC News, Mangione’s supporters have already established a defense fund and accumulated more than $200,000 as of Tuesday. The response to the murder has been far from sympathetic for Thompson, as many are viewing Mangione as a martyr.
Some are viewing this as a wake-up call against the top 1%, and law enforcement has taken immediate notice. Mangione was charged with counts of terrorism and murder for his crime and is even being considered for the death penalty.
Although the response from law enforcement reveals some ulterior motives, giving over-the-top punishment to those who have taken violent action against the highest profiting members of society, the outcry from society has blown this too far.
The punishments for Mangione’s crimes fall under murder without Thompson being the CEO that he was. Despite the very justified frustration people feel, particularly regarding healthcare issues in America, the idolization of Mangione has been geared toward his attractiveness more than anything else. Much of the conversation surrounding Mangione has been about his appearance, with people sexualizing him on social media. Assumptions about his motives on social media have gone too far. The crime he committed was simply still a crime.
Searching for justice and advocating for change is important, and people have valid reasons to push for healthcare reform. But killing Thompson did not solve those issues, and putting Mangione on a pedestal for murder is not the way. Despite failure time and time again pushing for accessible and more affordable healthcare, the only solution is to continue pushing and trying to implement healthcare reform.
Protests have already broken out calling for justice for Mangione, but this energy should be channeled into the charges themselves. The death penalty and terrorism charges, although outlined in New York’s parameters, feel excessive due to Thompson’s role as CEO. If it were a citizen or resident, the punishment would likely not be as severe.
In New York, Mangione was charged with 11 counts including a terrorism offense, which is outlined as committing the crime to “intimidate or coerce” people or the government to make a change. This was just simply the reaction from the people, as Mangione has made no verbal comments saying this was indeed a wake-up call.
The murder was premeditated by the stalking charges Mangione has been given, saying he had followed Thompson around days before committing the murder. However, Mangione has once again not made it clear that this was a crime intended to have people take a stand.
Although the state outlines murder through the use of a firearm as the death penalty is eligible, this is simply being used as a fear tactic to the public, being sure his supporters won’t try to do the same. This feels like a stretch, and the media has latched onto it to create more of a controversy around it.
Mangione is still a murderer, and violence cannot be used to solve the issues of inequality of wealth in the U.S. The country should focus on looking at the charges instead of the man behind them. This country has called for the end of gun violence for far too long and is currently setting a poor example for its efforts. Things need to be changed, but the course of action many have taken is simply not the way.
Abby Jenkins is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Abby know by tweeting her @abbyjenks18 or emailing her at aj205621@ohio.edu.
