Accused murderer Luigi Mangione breaks silence after $US300,000 raised for his legal defence

Accused killer Luigi Mangione, 26, has spoken out for the first time since his capture, after he allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, on a Manhattan sidewalk on December 4.

Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s after a five-day search, carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID, police have said.

The murder suspect was also carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, according to federal prosecutors.

In December, the Manhattan district attorney formally charged him with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism, in a state case that will run parallel to his federal prosecution.

The federal charges could carry the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody awaiting the trial.

On Friday, US time, Mangione broke his silence for the first time on his website via his lawyers.

“I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,” said Mangione, who is being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC).

“Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe.

“While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive,” he continued.

“Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.”

Mangione’s supporters have raised about $US400,000, or about $AUD630,000 for his legal defence from 10,000 donors, according to multiple reports in the US.

On Monday, New York lawyer Judie Saunders joined Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington on Sunrise, to speak about the case.

“He’s had a huge amount of support, hasn’t he? He recently accepted (almost) $700,000 in crowd funding for his defense. Is that going to sway jury selection?” Barr asked.

“No. That is not something that (would impact it),” Saunders explained.

“When you get in the nuances of jury selection ... The questions attorneys will be presenting when they’re looking for an unbiased jury pool or jurors is not going to really go as to who is paying for the defence.

“(It will be vetted by the prosecution and defence) but you won’t expect that to necessarily sway potential jurors.”

Shirvington asked: “What sort of a strategy do you think his legal team will have?”

“There is going to be three things that are going to be important to the defence team,” Saunders said.

“What we can expect is possibly jury nullification and that is a very real possibility.

“What you have in this case is a public outcry of frustration at a particular industry and you may see that woven into the defence.

Jury nullification occurs when a jury believes the defendant has broken the law but returns a not guilty verdict.

“The jurors could possibly ignore the alleged wrong that was done and basically nullify the jury. There’s also talk among different experts there may be an insanity defence. There are pros and cons to that.

“Then, what you will find in these cases, is (the defence will be) attacking and challenging the government’s evidence.

“So those three defences; those three strategies will be employed by his legal team.”

- with CNN