NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #10 *Arrest*

[MassGuy]

NEW: I spoke to Best Buy employees in Altoona, PA who told me Luigi Mangione stopped in their store to conduct Google searches on their display computers before his arrest. The employee told me the computer he used was pulled off the shelf after he left, presumably by law enforcement for their investigation.

It's unclear what he was searching or if he purchased anything. I've reached out to Best Buy Corporate for more details and learn how they are assisting the investigation.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1869827247584276980

 

[Cartie]

If BT were not the CEO of a major healthcare company, there would not be first degree murder or terrorism charges imo. BT, unfortunately, is not the only victim of gun violence in NYC, but it is not common to see first degree murder, terrorism, and possible federal charges filed against the defendant.

I agree with this on face value but IMO I think because LM has become a hero to many they don't want others to copy.

 

[Tiff23fr]

NEW: I spoke to Best Buy employees in Altoona, PA who told me Luigi Mangione stopped in their store to conduct Google searches on their display computers before his arrest. The employee told me the computer he used was pulled off the shelf after he left, presumably by law enforcement for their investigation.

It's unclear what he was searching or if he purchased anything. I've reached out to Best Buy Corporate for more details and learn how they are assisting the investigation.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1869827247584276980

That Backpack was for sale on the floor at Best Buy. I recall seeing there were 2 in stock at a nearby Best Buy when we first started talking about the bag. Clearly this was after the fact of the back pack..

 

[Sundog]

I think that the "noise" to do with potential jury nullification is just that - noise. It's not going to happen.

All that needs to be done is for someone to say something along the lines of ...if you acquit this defendant for any reason other than the prosecution failing to prove its case then you are accepting that someone who shoots you, your husband, your wife, your child or loved one because they didn't agree with your decision cannot be convicted. That will be the reality of your decision and society will for ever more have to live by it.

Not going to happen.

I don't think they will be able to get a jury that is 100% in favor of a not guilty charge, and definitely not the second degree murder charge. So jury nullification is out the window, IMO.

The best LM could get is a hung jury, and that means he can be tried again, and/or bumped up to federal court.

 

[BUF]

NEW: I spoke to Best Buy employees in Altoona, PA who told me Luigi Mangione stopped in their store to conduct Google searches on their display computers before his arrest. The employee told me the computer he used was pulled off the shelf after he left, presumably by law enforcement for their investigation.

It's unclear what he was searching or if he purchased anything. I've reached out to Best Buy Corporate for more details and learn how they are assisting the investigation.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1869827247584276980

Since he was found at McDonald’s about 9:15 am, this must have been the day before.

 

[kuromiiiilove]

I agree with this on face value but IMO I think because LM has become a hero to many they don't want others to copy.

But doesn’t that highlight exactly how inconsistent the system is? If someone were targeted in a similarly calculated way but wasn’t high profile, it’s hard to imagine this level of urgency or such severe charges.

The justice system is clearly sending a message, I agree. But the message is about protecting power structures, not protecting people. The copycat fear makes sense. But why does it take a case involving a CEO/millionaire to get this level of attention when so many other victims of gun violence don’t get justice? MOO

 

[Sundog]

Jmo, pls don't shoot the messenger, I am not saying whether shooting someone to death in the back is worse than doing it from the front. The person is dead. That's a question for the jury.

<snipped for focus>

Shooting someone in the back means that the victim never had a chance to react, duck, fall to the ground, run, call out for help, or whatever. The way it happened is a particularly heinous crime.

 

[MassGuy]

It’s clear we both agree this was a horrifying act and needs to be addressed with utmost seriousness. But framing it as ‘completely different’ and justifying that view undermines the value of justice for ALL victims.

Think about how marginalized communities lives are devalued when justice in unevenly distributed. Murders of ‘every day people’ don’t receive the same resources, media coverage, or urgency. And THAT disparity is exactly what I’m upset about.

The fear about copycat crimes is valid. But we’ve seen that phenomenon with school shootings, hate crimes, and domestic terrorism. And NONE of those have been met with this level of attention or accountability. Every life deserves justice and prevention of further harm, no matter who they are.

We can condemn this assasination while simultaneously advocating for all victims of violence. I personally believe it’s deeply dangerous to justify this unequal application of the law.

All IMO/MOO

Murders of everyday people don’t receive this level of resources because that is impossible. There isn’t the money or manpower to do anything remotely close to that.

The public isn’t interested in 99% of murders, because there’s nothing unique about them. If the public doesn’t care, why would a revenue driven news outlet care? There’s no demand.

We had a broad daylight assassination. We had bullet casings with words on them. We had a backpack full of Monopoly money. This was straight out of a movie, and captured the public’s imagination when few cases do. That would have happened even if the motive didn’t appear to be much broader than one particular person. That sent it into overdrive though.

Public pressure is real, especially with the world watching.

A better argument in my view is why certain similar cases have disparities in that regard.

To me, this is similar to only a handful of cases I’ve followed over the past couple decades.

 

[Baby baby Jane]

If it's true that he access to that much money then it can only add even less justification for what he did!

We have an arrogant rich brat who's decided he hates the medical insurance industry so deeply that he's entitled to shoot someone in the back in the middle of a public street.....yah cos that'll address the problems in the industry dude!!!

Anyone with any sense of social justice would put his $6m to work by, I don't know, starting a charitable/non-profit/ethical insurance company? Or, how about using that money for political purposes to change how stuff works?

I am becoming ever more convinced that whatever motivations were it wasn't really about the health insurance industry. More likely some wider ranging anti-big business, general socialist mentality. I'd bet that if he hadn't been caught the next target would have been someone who heads an oil company, power or water company or somesuch.

IMO - It would make sense that LM would have murderous contempt for lawyers too … i mean, they cost too much! Lawyers: the bills keep coming … billing charges for every minute, every sheet of paper and staple of paper clip!!

 

[Sundog]

You are right but even if the prosecution proves its case and the evidence is clear as day there is imho about a 10-20% chance he gets a not guilty verdict because a supporter got onto the jury. We already have influencers coaching young people about how to get onto the jury and what to say to those that choose the jury. Over 50% of under 30's support LM, all it takes is one and he walks away a free man

If a supporter gets on the jury and won't vote to convict while the other jurors agree to convict, then it would end up in a hung jury and not a not guilty verdict. He won't walk away a free man with a hung jury (i.e. a jury that can't reach unanimity). They'll just try him again with a new jury.

 

[Columbo Was The Best]

It’s quite a bit more difficult to establish that the shooting of one individual was an act that LM intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population. Based on what we know, there’s a strong argument that his actions weren’t intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population (nor did they do so from the reaction we have seen).

Not only that, his actions on the day of the shooting (allowing the female passerby leave the scene unscathed) completely contradict this ''intention to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.''

Personally, I would not be scared of coming across this disturbed boy in the street.

I would be terrified of falling ill or developing a health condition in the US though, knowing full well the private healthcare insurance providers would think nothing of letting me die like a wild animal.
I just finished watching two videos of interviews outside the court today, people telling their experiences of fighting for their lives on the phone with insurance companies. Horrific, absolutely horrific.

Jmoo.

 

[Sunshynn]

We had a broad daylight assassination. We had bullet casings with words on them. We had a backpack full of Monopoly money. This was straight out of a movie, and captured the public’s imagination when few cases do. That would have happened even if the motive didn’t appear to be much broader than one particular person. That sent it into overdrive though.

Not to mention he had a literal manifesto and a notebook full of plans when he was apprehended after a manhunt to find him.
This was a murder of Hollywood proportions - moo.

 

[mrstfs]

NEW: I spoke to Best Buy employees in Altoona, PA who told me Luigi Mangione stopped in their store to conduct Google searches on their display computers before his arrest. The employee told me the computer he used was pulled off the shelf after he left, presumably by law enforcement for their investigation.

It's unclear what he was searching or if he purchased anything. I've reached out to Best Buy Corporate for more details and learn how they are assisting the investigation.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1869827247584276980

Interesting! I wonder how he was getting around. This Best Buy isn’t exactly in a walkable location. I do see some bus stops along the road so maybe by transit. (I don’t think he had an accomplice.) moo

 

[kuromiiiilove]

Murders of everyday people don’t receive this level of resources because that is impossible. There isn’t the money or manpower to do anything remotely close to that.

The public isn’t interested in 99% of murders, because there’s nothing unique about them. If the public doesn’t care, why would a revenue driven news outlet care? There’s no demand.

We had a broad daylight assassination. We had bullet casings with words on them. We had a pack pack full of Monopoly money. This was straight out of a movie, and captured the public’s imagination when few cases do.

Public pressure is real, especially with the world watching.

A better argument in my view is why certain similar cases have disparities in that regard.

lol isn’t ‘limited resources’ the core of the issue? The idea that only high profile cases merit this level of attention just reinforces systemic inequity. Resources exist. They’re just used based on who society deems ‘important’. Which is exactly my issue.

Saying ‘the public just isn’t interested’ totally ignores how the media has shaped interest in this case. I guarantee you the relatives of those slain in unsolved cases are ‘interested’. They just don’t get coverage. Saying that just perpetuates the cycles where people think some lives matter less.

Public pressure plays a role, sure. But it shouldn’t take a billionaire being assassinated for law enforcement to act so speedily. If the system can handle this case with this much vigor, in my opinion, there’s no excuse not to treat others the same way.

Instead of excusing disparities, we should be asking how to ensure ALL victims receive fair treatment and justice. Public attention doesn’t justify inequity.

Let me remind you that justice isn’t about public interest or profitability. It’s a constitutional right. EQUAL protection under the law. Every person deserves the same access to justice, and it’s disappointing to see that disparity being justified instead of critically examined. It’s clear we’re approaching this from fundamentally different perspectives, so I’ll be removing myself from this particular sub-discussion. IMO

 

[NuttMegg]

<snipped for focus>

Shooting someone in the back means that the victim never had a chance to react, duck, fall to the ground, run, call out for help, or whatever. The way it happened is a particularly heinous crime.

Well they're kind of maxxed out on the charges. So I figured it would come up in front of a jury. Maybe it will sway that one possible outlier jury member I hypothesized about.

I don't think it was as cruel as C Watts killing his kids (twice, the 1st time didn't work), and killing his pregnant wife from BEHIND, and then the thing about the oil tanks, what happens to babies' bodies after 4 days in crude. Watts got a private prison room for at least 2 years, ending up in a relatively cushy Wisc. prison instead of Florence.

 

[Sundog]

IIRC … his manifesto which would be in evidence, is 300 words. Won’t take too long to read that. He might have other writings or things he’s written that he, if took stand, would be asked to explain which could work against his not guilty plea.
IMO
Explaining that murder he planned & committed was “defending” unknown others from harm. (Individuals who have murdered “abortion” doctors have all been convicted of murder despite defending pre-born from harm. See George Tiller murder.)

Additionally, his speaking in court in own defense might do more harm, as it opens the door to many other questions that he might now want to answer. Judge might also bar him from making certain claims or statements. He likely will not be able to use courtroom as a platform for his views, his trial will attempt be focused on the crime, evidence and his guilt. Not on LM opinions.

If LM has any angry outbursts during a trial, he will be removed from the court and, if necessary, watch the trial by zoom (muted) and not appear in person to prevent further outbursts.

Also, every defendant has a right to speak in their defense, but most attorneys advise againt it. The prosecution will have some very pointed questions for him if he takes the stand.

 

[Herat]

Looks like he has arrived in NYC in a police helicopter this am.

Some DM article comments about him pushing his tongue into his cheek. Nervous tic or a secret signal of some protest.

I dunno. I'm already over him.

Luigi Mangione's nervous tic revealed as plan to 'wack' CEO is shared

Mangione landed in Manhattan on Thursday to be arraigned for the murder of UnitedHeathcare CEO Brian Thompson.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Jw192]

If BT were not the CEO of a major healthcare company, there would not be first degree murder or terrorism charges imo. BT, unfortunately, is not the only victim of gun violence in NYC, but it is not common to see first degree murder, terrorism, and possible federal charges filed against the defendant.

Thank you!

Honestly, I am utterly baffled as to why more people here aren't seeing this. Firearm murders in NY happen way too often (I could grab the statistics but it's an easy Google) and how many of them result in first degree murder charges, terrorism, federal + every other possible charge?
Again I will clearly state that nobody has the right to take another person's life and my sympathies go out to BT's loved ones, but why is Brian Thompsons life worth more than for example Thomas Washington who was shot and killed in the Bronx last year? His killer barely got a blip of the charges seen in this case. What about the search for the shooters than happened in the Bronx on Monday? Where is the urgency, the global media reports, the huge manhunt?
Like at what point do we actually take a moment here to think wtf?! Who gives anybody a right to say who's life is worth more than anothers? Just because one is a 'nobody" and the other is a CEO of a huge private healthcare insurance company the latters life is worth more?! Where is the line where we ask ourselves that question? All I see is hypocrisy and elitism here and believe me, I've tried so hard not to.

I, like many of you have been in the sleuthing world for decades so I took understand charge stacking, I was expecting it to a degree as I wouldn't blame the DA being somewhat rattled in this case and they obviously want some charges to stick so they're stacking... What I can't understand is the sheer overkill of it. I've never seen this amount of overcharging before and I can't help but believe here that the reasonings for throwing the entire book at this lad is because they're being made to prove some point here by whatever higher ups, they're humiliated or they're going bonsai at a lad who's committed (I hate saying this) a pretty much bog standard murder all because of the public reaction to it.

Someone if possible please show me sources of where this amount of charges have been dished out before over the years on a (again I hate saying it) pretty straightforward firearm murder, as I would love to be educated. Please show me a similar case where terrorism charges have been brought when the only scraps of an indication of a motive of terror was freely released by the LE/DA (the words on the casings & the "manifesto"/letter to feds) and no public terror was incited otherwise or at all. Show me where a singular stranger murder resulted in all of these charges PLUS federal charges to boot. Please.

They've gone and made a simple man Vs man murder trial into a man + the vast majority of American citizens Vs American healthcare insurance trial with all of these charges as they've bulldozed the door to presenting motive off it's hinges.

Baffling.

All MOO and I apologise if I've ruffled any feathers with my opinions.

 

[BUF]

Per CNN

LM no longer in orange jumpsuit, but now in street clothes brought for him

He is in court and hearing underway

 

[Sundog]

I agree. Do we know where and when this poll was taken? I wish they would re-poll now that a bit of time has passed.

The jury selection experts/consultants will definitely do some polling, although we won't likely learn the results of their polls.