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Wednesday's Final Word
Someone left a heart-shaped note inside the socks Luigi Mangione was supposed to wear during a Feb. 21 court appearance, according to a court document filed by prosecutors and released Tuesday.
Mangione’s defense team gave a court officer a bag of clothes for Mangione to wear at his hearing that day. An investigator searched the clothing and found a newly purchased pair of argyle socks with two personal heart-shaped notes inside. One of the notes was addressed to “Joan” and the other was addressed to Mangione, and it said “know there are thousands of people wishing you luck.” (The identity of “Joan” is not clear.)
Mangione was still allowed to wear the socks, though he later changed out of them because he felt “they did not look good,” according to the filing.
“Fortunately, the items smuggled were handwritten notes and not contraband capable of harming the transporting officers,” the document said.
Prosecutors argued elsewhere in the filing that Mangione should not be given a laptop while he’s in custody, as his legal team has requested. Prosecutors argued Mangione and his defense team are seeking unnecessary “special treatment.”
Mangione was charged with killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, in December. He pleaded not guilty and has been labeled a heartthrob by his supporters — both for his good looks and for allegedly making a statement on the American health care system. Social media users have made adoring video mashups of the alleged killer, and supporters have written him letters in jail.
Last month, Mangione said in a statement that he is “overwhelmed” by the support.
“I am overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,” he said. “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. Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.”
