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

[Muddy K]

That stroll through the courthouse seems weird. Were they slow walking him on purpose?

It's hard for me to see it any other way, that's for sure. Showboating, IMO.

 

[weirdbarbie]

Can only speak for myself but I earn around 1/3 of that in UK equivalent, like him I am unmarried, rent an apartment in a decent area, I drive a fairly nice car, but also take 3 luxury holidays a year. He is very comfortably off on those earnings he had imho

You cannot compare EU salaries and cost of living to SF Bay Area. He also likely wasn’t making 200k as a junior dev.

 

[weirdbarbie]

This is why, in my opinion, we're seeing so much sympathy for LM. The health insurance system in this country is broken, and while I do not condone shooting CEOs, I do hope this event will open hearts and minds to our fundamentally flawed insurance system and lead to positive changes.

LM was angry and he (symbolically) severed the head of the serpent.

LM must be held accountable for killing BT. There's no way around that.

But who do we hold accountable for patients who suffer and die because they are denied lifesaving care? Someone has killed them, too. Or, at least contributed to their deaths.

Who in our country gets to decide the value of a life?

Healthcare insurance companies and CEOs. That’s who.

 

[LadyL]

That stroll through the courthouse seems weird. Were they slow walking him on purpose?

his ankles were chained - he couldn't take large steps or go any faster without tripping and falling

 

[LadyL]

It's hard for me to see it any other way, that's for sure. Showboating, IMO.

his ankles were chained - he couldn't take large steps or go any faster without tripping and falling

 

[Charlot123]

Luigi Mangione gets a lot of sympathy for people because of underlying issue with health insurance. Some see him as a hero, while others see him as a criminal. Some criminals do not attract a lot of vitriol and do not become public enemies, like Mangione. Some criminals get a lot of vitriol and are public enemies. OJ Simpson, Timothy McVeigh, Osama bin Laden, Lori Drew, Casey Anthony, Jerry Sandusky, Rebecca Grossman, Alyssa Shepherd, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Jose Ibarra come to mind.

These are very different criminals, with different motives. I doubt he can be compared with OJ Simpson or Casey Anthony. Most of fighters for the idea were not alone; even Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was trailing in the footsteps of his brother, god knows why.

But strangely, of all domestic killers, he slightly resembles “the Spider-Man” from Pennsylvania, Danelo Cavalcante. Two things, we all feel sorry for the fugitives and…also, the photo of all Pennsylvanian police surrounding a tiny man, was not a good PR movement.

 

[justpeachy22]

I think this is likely.

Through his defense team, he can communicate his wishes to his parents, and they can likewise send messages to him.

I’m behind the current posts, but wanted to reply to the idea that LM does not want his parents in court because of their strained relationship. I disagree. I think LM very very much expects someone from his family to make a showing for him in court and as a result continues to search for a familiar face. Everything seems to be on his terms, it’s part of his ego imo. And as he’s getting “dragged” right now, I believe he expects his influential family to make a showing for him, to come through for him; though I do think his atty has told them they that they need to stay away.

 

[IzzyBlanche]

I just want to say, now that he's been arrested and we're seeing more images of him, I don't understand why he apparently is widely considered "hot."

Maybe in a couple of the pictures, but in most, he looks pretty ordinary to me.

I know this is trivial in the scheme of things but I just had to get that out.

 

[justpeachy22]

That "perp walk" was the biggest pi$$take I think I've ever seen in my history of law and justice. I simply cannot fathom as to what was going through their heads or why they thought that was in any way a good idea.
Downright prejudicial in its actual definition, the tainting their little stunt has done is going to be hell for them later on and they damn well deserved it now.
All that orchestrated catwalk has done is given the very people they're afraid of (the general public, as let's be honest with ourselves here, it's not LM they're afraid of, it's the people) yet even more renessaince'esqe, history book making, album covering eye candy thirst trapping splendor! Like what on earth?!
Also, think right... In how many dark corners/basements in America right now will there be some lad/lass who hasn't really got much going on for them in life, who are looking at those spectacular shots of the "millennial superman" in orange, perfectly framed head held high whilst a sunbeam from the heavens shines directly on him... all whilst he's surrounded by more security than a bloody Marvel villain with the mayor of NY walking behind with his head bowed like a fool... I can imagine them sat there thinking ooh I want that, I want that to be that important.
ITS THEM! EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE ENCOURAGING COPYCATS.
I'm honestly getting so narked by this case and my respect for path of law towards justice is shaking beneath me. What should be by NY standards, that they themselves made, a cut and clear murder 2, they've put on their clown shoes and formed an utter freak show. In my opinion they are making an example out of what would normally be a ten a penny killer because the victim was a CEO of a (crooked) HC insurance system and making even more of an example out of him because, much to their dismay, there's a new wave of population now that will not sit down and only raise their hands when they're told, they will shout out loud if they don't agree and the powers that be are damn terrified of it.
Ugh I'm getting on a soap box and letting my none professional brain spew spill out, but I'm just so frustrated that it genuinely feels like one rule for one and one for another, and that laws and systems that I've always respected and valued are being made a mockery of.

Let's see what today brings huh, again apologies if my opinions ruffle any feathers but this will be the first case I've followed where I'm sat on the defense side (for some of the charges) and it feels very odd.

It does feel very odd, you’re right JW. At first I was like… get this guy, pull out all the stops, whatever it takes, search the lake for the gun even if we know it’s not there, get this guy. Find him. Now I’m looking at this kid (and not because he’s super cute - we could all see that from the hostel pic), and it seems to me like they put the noose around his neck way too soon. We know he did it based on evidence right? But the justice system is supposed to allow him the freedom of a fair trial first. Had the guy killed the CEO of Wendy’s in the same exact spot with the same exact circumstances, this would be a regular homicide case in nyc. But he messed with the institution itself. And the way they exposed him will lean in his favor imo.

 

[MassGuy]

It does feel very odd, you’re right JW. At first I was like… get this guy, pull out all the stops, whatever it takes, search the lake for the gun even if we know it’s not there, get this guy. Find him. Now I’m looking at this kid (and not because he’s super cute - we could all see that from the hostel pic), and it seems to me like they put the noose around his neck way too soon. We know he did it based on evidence right? But the justice system is supposed to allow him the freedom of a fair trial first. Had the guy killed the CEO of Wendy’s in the same exact spot with the same exact circumstances, this would be a regular homicide case in nyc. But he messed with the institution itself. And the way they exposed him will lean in his favor imo.

I disagree. This would have still been a massive case if it was the CEO of any other industry, just because of the completely unprecedented nature of the crime (and yes, the fact that it was a CEO). The difference is that there wouldn't be such a loud vocal minority siding with a cold blooded killer, which would have mitigated the circus.

New York would still have the same concerns, especially being the business capital of the world. Companies are based there, businesses have their meetings there, Wall Street is there. A CEO gunned down on the street for the world to see, just cannot stand. You'd better rise to the occasion, lest you become a laughingstock by letting this guy get away with it.

This guy wanted to spread his message, and wanted attention on a psychological level too (his ego) - I believe this was for his own gratification more than anything.

The infuriating mistake they've made is what you, I, and pretty much everyone else is criticizing. They are inadvertently elevating his stature, while simultaneously making themselves look like the villain. This is embarrassing, and Adams bears much of the blame. He's not just grandstanding, but no doubt pulling the strings.

LM didn't need to be flown from Pennsylvania to New York. He didn't need to be transported by helicopter to where Adams was standing. He didn't need to be marched alongside a parade of heavily armed tactical officers.

Their inability to comprehend the optics here is astounding.

 

[justpeachy22]

This part too.
I think this very much has 'helped' his cause.
IMO, I do not think if he was like Kaczynski in both cause and looks that he would be getting this same attention or celebration of his actions.

You know what they say. Money and good looks will buy a person a lot in this world. And he has both of these in spades.. at least for now. And this will be a point the prosecution is prepared to talk about.

 

[detective.moon]

i wonder when the trial will happen! in 2025, or will it take longer?

 

[MassGuy]

i wonder when the trial will happen! in 2025, or will it take longer?

The Daniel Penny case took about a year and a half, so if it follows that path we're talking about mid 26.

 

[girlhasnoname]

These are very different criminals, with different motives. I doubt he can be compared with OJ Simpson or Casey Anthony. Most of fighters for the idea were not alone; even Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was trailing in the footsteps of his brother, god knows why.

But strangely, of all domestic killers, he slightly resembles “the Spider-Man” from Pennsylvania, Danelo Cavalcante. Two things, we all feel sorry for the fugitives and…also, the photo of all Pennsylvanian police surrounding a tiny man, was not a good PR movement.

I have not one ounce of sorrow for this fugitive now accused Defendant. I do however have sorrow for Brian Thompson's family and loved ones.

JMO

 

[girlhasnoname]

The larger one, probably, not. His own may not, but can they totally abandon him? Even if his thinking is flawed, their DNA.

If they do abandon him, then some things are more clear, IMHO. How can you call people who expect nothing but a perfect child and drop him when he’s less than that?

We do not have any confirmation about the relationship between LM and his family or of their 'abandoning' him. If you have a source for this please link it.

If there is familial conflict, who is to say that it wasn't created by LM himself? LM killed Brian Thompson, not LM's family, and it is pure speculation to assume they may have 'dropped' him for being less than perfect.

MOO

 

[GRT]

I continue to be fascinated by the number of people who support not just Luigi's "cause" but the killing itself.

If this poll is accurate, more Americans under the age of 30 condone the killing than condemn it.



"A poll found 41 percent of adults under 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson acceptable, more than the 40 percent in that demographic who consider it unacceptable."

 

[girlhasnoname]

I continue to be fascinated by the number of people who support not just Luigi's "cause" but the killing itself.

If this poll is accurate, more Americans under the age of 30 condone the killing than condemn it.



"A poll found 41 percent of adults under 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson acceptable, more than the 40 percent in that demographic who consider it unacceptable."

That's alarming, sounds like Social Media brain washing IMO.

 

[GRT]

That's alarming, sounds like Social Media brain washing IMO.

Yes, it's alarming. And, shocking. But, it's also fascinating.

I've been trying to wrap my head around it since the killing took place, and T-shirts appeared with the words, "Defend, Delay, Depose."

I don't know if it will reach the level of becoming a "movement," but it's a sociopolitical powder keg.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Yes, it's alarming. And, shocking. But, it's also fascinating.

I've been trying to wrap my head around it since the killing took place, and T-shirts appeared with the words, "Defend, Delay, Depose."

I don't know if it will reach the level of becoming a "movement," but it's a sociopolitical powder keg.

And the police/feds really have added fuel to the fire. I was just looking at an Irish national broadcaster article of pictures of the year of 2024, and Mangione in his orange jumpsuit surrounded by heavily armed cops is there alongside the likes of Trump's attempted assassination, the death of Navalny and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. This is not your average murder and the international coverage reflects that for better or worse. We don't have the same healthcare expense/access issues here in Europe (we have our own different healthcare problems, depending on the country and health service) but this case is getting a huge amount of attention around the world.

 

[GRT]

And the police/feds really have added fuel to the fire. I was just looking at an Irish national broadcaster article of pictures of the year of 2024, and Mangione in his orange jumpsuit surrounded by heavily armed cops is there alongside the likes of Trump's attempted assassination, the death of Navalny and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. This is not your average murder and the international coverage reflects that for better or worse. We don't have the same healthcare expense/access issues here in Europe (we have our own different healthcare problems, depending on the country and health service) but this case is getting a huge amount of attention around the world.

Thanks for sharing that. I really had no idea the story was that widespread. I totally agree that the feds have fueled the fire.