John Waters, director of cult classic movies including Female Trouble and Pink Flamingos, has revealed his thoughts on alleged murderer Luigi Mangione.
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Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside of a Manhattan hotel on December 4.
In an interview with PAPER Magazine, Waters was asked about Mangione because they both hail from Baltimore.
When the interviewer mentioned that Mangione has brought some attention to the area, with the story going viral and many people online making remarks about his appearance, Waters said: “Well, I guess. I mean, he’s not that cute. He’s alright. I did say in one of my early books, ‘Everybody looks better under arrest.’ I think that has something to do with it. But yeah, it is a phenomenon. Another phenomenon.”
The interviewer then says: “I think he’s one of the cuter alleged killers I’ve seen in recent memory, for sure.”
Waters responded: “I don’t like to say that because, to be honest, I taught in prison. I help people get out of jail. I have to take that a little more seriously today. He was a terrorist, is what he is, and it was a terrorist act that worked certainly. But he definitely is a terrorist.
“I don’t know that man. I feel bad for his family that he got shot while walking down the street. Just because you don’t like someone, you can’t [do that].”
He continued: “I understand the phenomenon, but people will forget him quickly. They always forget assassins.”
“His back hurt. That’s all. He was an incel maybe, I don’t know! I don’t know anything about it. He doesn’t need me commenting on it. He’s in enough shit.”
Mangione pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges against him, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and multiple weapons offences, in the New York State Supreme Court in December. He also faces federal charges, including interstate stalking and murder through use of a firearm.
The 26-year-old has become the subject of widespread attention online – so much so that two documentaries about his case are already in the works. Last month, comedian Chris Rock made a joke about Thompson’s killing in his Saturday Night Live (SNL) monologue. Mangione is currently being held without bail in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, which is also where Diddy is being housed as he faces charges of sex trafficking and more.
Mangione will next take to the stand in federal court on January 18.