NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #11 *Arrest*

[MassGuy]

Clumsily snipped for focus, not necessarily directed at you

It's been pointed out numerous times that BT was a father, as though that makes the crime more heinous.

If he weren't a father, would that make the crime less heinous?

Of course not.

The crime was heinous whether BT was a father or not.

Here's why I point that out. Those who support him are approaching this from an emotional level, not a logical one. You cannot reason someone out of a position they did not reason themself into. So you point out the father thing to combat them on the level in which they are operating. Low as it is.

 

[Charlot123]

That's why I think the Feds should take it. You don't have to worry about the terrorism element to get the first degree murder conviction.

This is the very definition of a case that deserves life in prison. No question that it was premeditated.

I'll say something that people will disagree with.

It is less of a problem to let LM go. View him as a threat, and you may repeat a common and dangerous mistake, create a martyr.

Feds taking him would be very wrong. He is neither Tsarnayev nor some mad cleric, given what they stood for. Luidgi is already less of a live person and more of a symbol. Federal prison will surely aggravate the problem.

Look at Che Guevara T-shirts. People wearing "Che chic" don't care what a hopeless halfwit the protagonist was. He is a hero, a symbol, a martyr. But, were Che allowed to live into his 60es, marry Tanya, grow a pouch and write "cookbook diaries", he'd be forgotten.

 

[Friday Fan]

I'll say something that people will disagree with.

It is less of a problem to let LM go. View him as a threat, and you may repeat a common and dangerous mistake, create a martyr.

Feds taking him would be very wrong. He is neither Tsarnayev nor some mad cleric, given what they stood for. Luidgi is already less of a live person and more of a symbol. Federal prison will surely aggravate the problem.

Look at Che Guevara T-shirts. People wearing "Che chic" don't care what a hopeless halfwit the protagonist was. He is a hero, a symbol, a martyr. But, were Che allowed to live into his 60es, marry Tanya, grow a pouch and write "cookbook diaries", he'd be forgotten.

I think feds would be better. They keep the perps out of the limelight. No one saw Tsarnaev's face after he gave the camera the finger. The penalty would be the same. Also it wouldn't involve terrorism. Stalking is more of a turnoff to the general public.

I remember it was so crazy how everyone was all over Tsarnaev. "Free Johar" tee shirts and girls crying. I'm glad he's hidden from view. No one mentions him anymore.

Also: Che was a revolutionary. Along with Fidel Castro, they changed things. Not for the best IMO, but they changed things. This Luigi guy isn't gonna change anything.

 

[detective.moon]

wow, i wonder what they were thinking with this hollywood photo opportunity! it seems like whoever makes these decisions is not really in touch with the sentiments of the public. i think if you want to nip something in the bud, you first have to understand what’s behind it. for example, the idea of wealth/power disparity, something that luigi supporters are angry about, is only strengthened with this display because well, someone who kills ordinary people wouldn’t get this treatment

also just the imagery of lots of armed characters in black, and one unarmed, calm looking handsome guy in colour, i think it’s having the opposite effect of what they were going for

 

[detective.moon]

Luidgi is already less of a live person and more of a symbol.

rsbm

i agree, this case has become very much about symbolism! and unfortunately for the prosecution, just “father of two” is not a very strong redeeming symbol when that person has also become the symbol of everything wrong with health insurances, and wealthy people who do insider trading and drunk driving

to be clear, i’m not saying it makes anything okay. i’m just trying to dissect it as symbolism, because i think that’s a big part of why there’s so much support.

 

[Marantz4250b]

Just catching up on the tv news coverage of this today, and a couple of things really piss me off.

First, there was no reason to do this insane perp walk with all those heavily armed cops. He could have been transported quietly and secretly, without a single camera capturing him. It plays up the underdog/martyr image he has cultivated with a significant minority of the public. I mean, just look at this fricken picture.
View attachment 552937

Secondly, and related to this, there was absolutely no reason for Mayor Adams to be present. He shouldn't be saying a word, as it is not in the interest of justice for him to be discussing this case. He's turning this into some political sideshow, with himself at the center of it. It makes the case political, and hurts the terrorism argument as a result.

I wish there was some way to just try this Federally, and have New York step aside.

That is absolutely horrendous. It's reducing a murder investigation/trial to the level of a freak show. It is utterly immoral to display innocent people (which he is until convicted) in this way.

It occurred to me that if this was a different circumstance and he were a prisoner of war this would be a contravention of international law. It would be a war crime!

 

[NuttMegg]

How can they be so clueless. That photo will immediately be used for screensavers & backgrounds all over social media and secondly with just a few touchups it could be turned into a religious persecution icon, with the cops as roman soldiers, etc. I'm not going to waste time looking, i'll bet it's already doctored up for t shirts on the internet, his persecution.

 

[BrianJohnson]

LM spent months planning the whole thing in incredible detail, but it would have all gone to waste if BT had stepped out of his hotel with the UHC heavily armed close protection team, with a gun that had to be reloaded after each shot LM would be eliminated after the first shot, all that planning gone to waste, the CP team were used to accompany Witty to the Hilton but not BT. How did LM know that BT would be without the CP team, somehow he did, he had to have someone on the inside who knew BT’s security arrangements.

 

[Marantz4250b]

LM spent months planning the whole thing in incredible detail, but it would have all gone to waste if BT had stepped out of his hotel with the UHC heavily armed close protection team, with a gun that had to be reloaded after each shot LM would be eliminated after the first shot, all that planning gone to waste, the CP team were used to accompany Witty to the Hilton but not BT. How did LM know that BT would be without the CP team, somehow he did, he had to have someone on the inside who knew BT’s security arrangements.

Do we know that he would have had this sort of protection team available? It's been mentioned but I'm not sure of any definitive answer on it. Heads of big companies don't really have huge protection teams, I don't think. The mega wealthy may do but that is more of an anti-kidnapping measure, I think. Also, big security teams are sometimes counter productive as they might serve to bring attention to someone who isn't already well known.

I'm curious of the legal situation in New York regarding private security; NYC is extremely restrictive as regards firearms (handguns have been effectively banned for civilian possession for over a century) and I'm not sure how easy it is to get the relevant permits to carry and suchlike.

Edit: on reading up on it, it seems that handgun possession isn't as difficult as it was following some court cases. It still looks really complicated, though.

 

[NuttMegg]

LM spent months planning the whole thing in incredible detail, but it would have all gone to waste if BT had stepped out of his hotel with the UHC heavily armed close protection team, with a gun that had to be reloaded after each shot LM would be eliminated after the first shot, all that planning gone to waste, the CP team were used to accompany Witty to the Hilton but not BT. How did LM know that BT would be without the CP team, somehow he did, he had to have someone on the inside who knew BT’s security arrangements.

Didn't he just stalk BT the day before? Has a record of his movements that day been released? Lm that is.

 

[Moonchild90]

Honestly, I feel like his ED issues caused so much frustration and anger for him, he deteriorated from there, looking for an EGO boost...IMO

 

[IDK]

Another thought about the NYC perp walk— this is now an iconic photo and I agree with others it will be used to enhance what some see as LM’s martyr status.

Also, it almost looks like a set up for a sniper attack. LM is paraded around in orange, doesn’t appear to be wearing a bullet proof vest— prime target for a sniper. Was this done on purpose? They’d rather get him killed than to have to prosecute him? Looks very bad all around. All IMO, speculation.

Luigi Mangione faces federal murder, stalking charges in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Luigi Mangione faces four new federal charges, including murder, which could make him eligible for the death penalty. He is also facing multiple state charges.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[BrianJohnson]

Do we know that he would have had this sort of protection team available? It's been mentioned but I'm not sure of any definitive answer on it. Heads of big companies don't really have huge protection teams, I don't think. The mega wealthy may do but that is more of an anti-kidnapping measure, I think. Also, big security teams are sometimes counter productive as they might serve to bring attention to someone who isn't already well known.

I'm curious of the legal situation in New York regarding private security; NYC is extremely restrictive as regards firearms (handguns have been effectively banned for civilian possession for over a century) and I'm not sure how easy it is to get the relevant permits to carry and suchlike.

Edit: on reading up on it, it seems that handgun possession isn't as difficult as it was following some court cases. It still looks really complicated, though.

It wouldn't have to be a big team, I know someone friend of a friend who is fairly high profile, and when he is out and about he has 2 bodyguards who are quite discreet and dont draw attention to themselves by the way they dress. That could be similar at UHC, it wouldn't need a large team to have escorted BT to the Hilton

 

[theonewithallthequestions]

Another thought about the NYC perp walk— this is now an iconic photo and I agree with others it will be used to enhance what some see as LM’s martyr status.

Also, it almost looks like a set up for a sniper attack. LM is paraded around in orange, doesn’t appear to be wearing a bullet proof vest— prime target for a sniper. Was this done on purpose? They’d rather get him killed than to have to prosecute him? Looks very bad all around. All IMO, speculation.

View attachment 552966

Luigi Mangione faces federal murder, stalking charges in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Luigi Mangione faces four new federal charges, including murder, which could make him eligible for the death penalty. He is also facing multiple state charges.

www.cbsnews.com

I highly doubt they’d rather get him killed than to have to prosecute him. As it is, they have a very strong case against him. While there is a lot of sympathy for him and justifiable anger towards the broken healthcare system, I think they’ll ultimately be successful in prosecuting him.

That said, I do wonder what the reasoning is for the swarm of armed guards. It does seem excessive. My only theory is that maybe with his rising fandom and martyr status, the worry is of people trying to approach him and/or trying to help him escape?

I find this all very sad. I can’t imagine what his family must think and feel seeing these images. Or how BT’s family feels seeing the praise LM is still getting online.

Wish LM had gotten the help he needed (IMO) and that his anger was redirected to healthier courses of action.

 

[Tiff23fr]

I am curious about something one of you may be able to shed light on:

As I look at this, it appears LM recognized that by crossing state lines he would get the Feds involved. Hence, he wrote his letter to the Feds.

My question: is it possible to predict before the commission of a crime where one would be held upon arrest? Not only does he now share Diddy’s Lawyer, but they are also sharing a home at this time.
Random morning thoughts….

 

[CrimeDawg123]

Clumsily snipped for focus, not necessarily directed at you

It's been pointed out numerous times that BT was a father, as though that makes the crime more heinous.

If he weren't a father, would that make the crime less heinous?

Of course not.

The crime was heinous whether BT was a father or not.

His life is of no more importance being a father or not. But the crime itself was very public and heartless. Mentioning that he is a father brings some humanity to it.

 

[Sunshynn]

Another thought about the NYC perp walk— this is now an iconic photo and I agree with others it will be used to enhance what some see as LM’s martyr status.

I mean, I'm glad that they have him but this perp walk/photo opportunity is ridiculous.

Mass shooters and serial killers have gotten way less of a grand entrance when being handed off to authorities (Dylan Roof, for example, got Burger King following his arrest).

Cops bought Burger King for Dylann Roof following his arrest

Police bought Burger King for Dylann Roof following his arrest on Thursday.

abc7.com

They're turning this into the very thing they do not need it to be to avoid a tainted jury pool. MOO.

 

[Tiff23fr]

Side Note:
It appears that the hot health care topic in the days of LM’s August writing was the Steward Scandal.
(In late March 2024, Steward announced a preliminary agreement made to sell its physician network Stewardship Health to Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group)

“The company has been a focus of a year-and-a-half-long CBS News investigation documenting how private equity and other investor groups have siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars from community hospitals with devastating public health consequences.”

Steward Health Care under federal investigation for fraud and corruption, sources tell CBS News

The Dallas-based company, which owns hospitals in Massachusetts and seven other states, has been accused of putting profits over patients.

www.cbsnews.com

Federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's office in Boston are investigating Steward Health Care based on various allegations including fraud and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, two people familiar with the matter said. The law prohibits U.S. citizens and entities from engaging in corrupt activities when operating overseas.

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Unit

www.justice.gov

Since 1977, the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA have applied to all U.S. persons and certain foreign issuers of securities. With the enactment of certain amendments in 1998, the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA now also apply to foreign firms and persons who cause, directly or through agents, an act in furtherance of such a corrupt payment to take place within the territory of the United States.

 

[arielilane]

As we all know, no cameras are permitted in federal courtrooms and mugshots are not released of inmates. LE is aware of LM's "fan club." Was all the protection surrounding LM in order to keep his fan club from attempting to free him?

In addition, perhaps this will be the last time we see LM for the time being ... thank goodness! He’ll have plenty of time to work on being best buddies w/SC.

I agree w/posters who stated that LM’s family advised to stay away for now until trial, and most likely family funding his defense.

All speculation and an opinion

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I think feds would be better. They keep the perps out of the limelight. No one saw Tsarnaev's face after he gave the camera the finger. The penalty would be the same. Also it wouldn't involve terrorism. Stalking is more of a turnoff to the general public.

I remember it was so crazy how everyone was all over Tsarnaev. "Free Johar" tee shirts and girls crying. I'm glad he's hidden from view. No one mentions him anymore.

Also: Che was a revolutionary. Along with Fidel Castro, they changed things. Not for the best IMO, but they changed things. This Luigi guy isn't gonna change anything.

As heinous the Boston bombings were, I soon forgot about the individuals responsible, because I was too busy living my life raising two littles, working full time etc etc etc..
I think I, then, was representative of most Americans.

If they proceed with the terrorism angle, more and more people will get on his bandwagon, theoretically at least. Even the people raising money for his defense sound pretty logical in their interpretation of what they "see".

The Unabomber WAS a terrorist. He put fear into massive members of society.

I took a quick trip into googling the massive amount of opinion and discussion of the Unabomber over time. Endless. And with many stating that he was "right". Because they could DO that behind the safety of their pen. They didn't have to ACT. Luigi was a "pen" discussing the Unabomber. BUT he knew he had to ACT to be heard. And he did.
He basically proved the Unabomber Principle to be "right".

And, @Friday Fan , you are right. Che and Castro DID change things. And Luigi won't.
But what could change things (not saying for good or bad) is WHAT others do because of Luigi. And THAT is why I think the courts should stay away from Terrorism. Don't feed the animals.

If the Feds can make a stronger case for the murder than NY can, then maybe that is the way to go...I am back on the fence on this one. The feds do have greater range of selecting a jury, but what else is in their favor?

The US of A is a just a very different animal in 2024. The pent up emotions, frustrations, fears and divisiveness is the way of the day, and there does not seem to be anything in the near future that is going to change that.

I just feel that we are going to be seeing more and more animals escaping the zoo...