Breaking my promise to not comment on this thread just this once
The answer is unfortunately elitism. No matter how much you wanna dress it down or close your eyes to it. The crime committed here is by NYC's own written statutes murder 2. It's murder 2, the same as every other of the unfortunate massive amount of murder by gun crime cases in NY each and every year. Brian Thompson was not a politician. Brian Thompson was not an elected official. He was the CEO of one of the largest healthcare insurance companies in the USA. A company that has put money into the governments purse. Brian Thompson was a mega rich elite, it's as simple as that. (Brian Thompson was a man, a father and a beloved to his family and friends. A victim. - I feel like I need to point that out as I'm in no way victim blaming here) That is the reason that this case was penned as a murder 1 and terrorism plus a federal death penalty case, as it put the willies up those that live above us and gave them a point to make. That they are untouchable and they want to prove it - one only needs to rewatch that farcical perp walk to see fear and ego of those that pull the strings. That is why and that's why this whole thing is a slap in the face to the victims and families of every other case in NY where a standard murder 2 charge was handed down. Why are their lives worth any less?! Makes me rage.
Someone mentioned how odd that LE found the evidence so easily - There was a written letter to the feds remember. It is of my belief that every single iota of evidence that LE and the feds have was orchestrated to be found. Apprehension was expected after a long enough run around, media circus and exposure andddd evidence was literally gift wrapped. That's what I think. I also think that the Pennsylvania police have seriously messed up in their giddiness to please, and it's a terrible thing and example for law and justice. Sure there's loopholes which I'm sure they will use and wiggle out of their shadiness, but it doesn't look good and needs to be seriously addressed as if cops think they can cut corners and turn their cameras off willynilly, what hope and respect has anybody in law enforcement?
I believe that the NY case is gonna have a hard time through trial and afterwards, they've already had the terrorism farce charges rightfully scrapped. I believe that the fed case will have no choice but to drop the DP, as with all the evidence of prejudice - some directly from the white house, the appeal courts will have a field day.
I believe that the whole thing is an absolute joke and a spit on what justice and law is. A travesty for a man who was killed and his family. A kick to the common citizen and a sham.
If this has have been exactly what it was - murder 2 with the relevant gun charges - I would be sat firmly where I am 99.9% of the time, safely on the prosecution bench. However, due to DA's, law enforcement and the like bending over to politicians and due to me being a firm believer in fair justice, I am very oddly sat solidly in this case on the bench of the defense, which in no way means that I am not wanting justice for BT - I just want fair and accurate justice.
All my own opinion and I'm back to avoiding this thread