Luigi Mangione, who faces charges in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, recently received an intriguing heart-shaped note concealed within a pair of argyle socks, allegedly from a secret admirer.
Though he was scheduled to wear the socks during his court appearance on February 21, 2025, Mangione opted to go without them, as reported by the New York Post on March 26, 2025. Argyle socks are characterized by their distinctive diamond pattern, often featuring vibrant colors.
The revelation about the concealed note surfaced following a letter from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which circulated online on March 25, 2025. The note, colored pink and signed “R/FreeLuigi,” referenced a dedicated subreddit for Mangione’s case.
“Luigi, we are rooting for you! Keep your head held high and know there are thousands of people wishing you luck,” the note expressed.
It’s unclear whether Mangione saw the note. However, another note in the socks addressed someone named Joan, containing the following message:
“Thank you so much for trusting me and helping me navigate the entire disservice. You are amazing and I am so grateful for you!”
Interestingly, Joan Vollero is the public relations representative for Mangione’s legal team at Agnifilo Intrater LLP in New York City, although it is uncertain if the note was directed towards her.
The Rich Heritage of Argyle Socks Brings Additional Attention
Argyle socks, featuring overlapping diamond shapes with intersecting diagonal lines, have become a fashionable addition to casual wear. According to Design Pool Patterns, these socks are known for their intricate designs and can be found in both subtle and bold color schemes, typically knitted using the intarsia technique.
The origins of argyle socks trace back to the Argyll region in West Scotland. Named after the Clan Campbell of Argyll’s 17th-century tartan, these socks were initially worn by Scottish highlanders. The argyle knitting style gained popularity after being popularized by Pringle of Scotland in their garments.
Joseph Turner’s website states that Scottish clansmen began crafting argyle socks in the 16th century as a means to express their traditional tartan in a fashionable manner. By the late 18th century, the production of argyle socks commenced in larger quantities.
During the 1920s, this sock style became synonymous with golf when the Duke of Windsor started donning them on the green. The style revolutionized again in the mid-20th century when young women in England knitted these socks for their partners.
The trend crossed the Atlantic during the early 1950s, driven by the president of Brooks Brothers’ fascination with the design, leading to the first argyle socks being imported from Scotland in 1952. Today, this iconic pattern is not only a staple for socks but is also integrated into various clothing items such as sweaters and vests.
Unraveling the Drama Surrounding Mangione’s Socks
In addition to the communication from the prosecution dated Tuesday, Mangione’s lawyers brought attention to the heart-shaped note in a legal filing on March 26. According to the filing, the note was “secreted” within the legwear intended for Mangione’s court appearance.
The document revealed that Mangione chose not to wear the socks because he felt they “didn’t look good.” The Manhattan District Attorney’s office indicated that the note and socks were part of a clothing bag sent to Mangione by his attorneys prior to the hearing.
However, Mangione’s defense claimed ignorance regarding the hidden notes. The filing asserted:
“In the haste of the situation, the defense inadvertently did not see that there were two heart-shaped notes contained within the socks. This was obviously inadvertent, as one of the two heart-shaped notes was not even addressed to Mr. Mangione.”
The document added:
“The District Attorney’s Office evidently recognized the benign nature of this event, and there was no need to alert the Court at that moment.”
The defense further argued that the note’s disclosure was an attempt to divert attention from Mangione’s legitimate requests, such as needing access to a laptop for trial preparation. This laptop would be used for reviewing vital evidence, including witness testimonies and multimedia content.
“The acts of those who sympathize with the defendant demonstrate that no individual connected to the case is exempt from intimidation efforts,” the prosecution countered.
The prosecution contended that Mangione has already enjoyed favorable treatment, such as changing into formal clothing from his prison attire for court proceedings. Senior trial counsel Joel Seidman noted in a letter that making such accommodations to meet Mangione’s “fashion needs” was undermined when the heart-shaped note was discovered.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office emphasized that allowing contraband, even in the form of notes, could endanger law enforcement personnel. Fortunately, they noted, the items smuggled were harmless messages rather than dangerous contraband.
“Fortunately, the items smuggled were handwritten notes and not contraband capable of harming the transporting officers,” the document asserted.
Navigating through these tangled legal proceedings, Luigi Mangione’s sockless appearance garnered significant online attention. The 26-year-old has pleaded not guilty to serious charges including terrorism, first-degree murder, stalking, and firearm offenses related to Thompson’s death outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024. Presently, he remains incarcerated in a federal facility in Brooklyn and faces the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty if convicted.