While awaiting trial in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, Luigi Mangione, the man charged with murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has released a letter stating the 27 things he’s grateful for in honor of his 27th birthday, which took place in May.
The list, obtained by TMZ, ranged from family, friends, and attorneys to "Chicken Thursdays," memes, and "Latinas for Mangione."
Mangione wrote that he was grateful for all the letters he has received, as well as the MDC Mail Room staff, "which has—to date—photocopied and processed thousands of letters sent to me from over 40 countries. Your efforts are appreciated by so many." He also extended his gratitude to MDC staff and corrections officers, "who are nothing like what 'The Shawshank Redemption' or 'The Stanford Prison Experiment' had me believe. While the occasional miss or dissent arises, I’ve found that they are people too and largely there to help."
He said he was grateful for the "countless" books he has been sent, with his favorites including Ayn Rand’s "Anthem," Patrick Bet-David’s "Your Next Five Moves," and Ray Bradbury’s "Fahrenheit 451."
As the list continued on, Mangione said he was grateful for "Chicken Thursdays" and "Sweet Baby Ray’s bbq sauce," adding, "sorry vegans. It’s the realest food here, and I need my strength." Number 16 on the list simply stated, "Latinas for Mangione."
He said he was grateful for "the some 30,000 individuals around the globe who have come together to donate over $1,000,000 to my legal fund, enabling me to retain a world class defense team across three concurrent prosecutions," as well as those who have "donated to my commissary account, whose contributions have funded a tablet, songs, stamps, hygiene items, bbq sauce, Goya sazon, peanut butter, and lots of tuna packets."
Rounding out the list, Mangione wrote that he was grateful for "The conservatives, who fiercely conserve the aspects of our society that make us great," "the liberals, who liberate us from outdated aspects of our society that prevent us from being greater," "being born in America. She is haunted by her past, she is sick, she is plagued by inner turmoil - such is her nature as a nation of individuals. She is young, in the midst of an adolescent identity crisis. But despite her flaws, her frame is robust and her potential unmatched," and "free speech, the basis of our way of life."
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal charges from the Department of Justice, charges that could result in a death sentence if convicted. He is also facing charges in Pennsylvania and New York.
