Summary

Luigi Mangione, charged with the December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, released his first public statement through a new website launched by his defense team.

He expressed gratitude for widespread support and acknowledged the letters he has received. The website provides case updates and a fundraiser, which has raised over $400,000.

Mangione has gained a following among those frustrated with the U.S. healthcare system. A poll found 41% of voters under 30 viewed the assassination as acceptable.

His next court date is Feb. 21.

  • kikutwo@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    So the Altoona Pennsylvania police who made the arrest just happened to plant the evidence for the NYPD? Lol

    • WoodScientist@sh.itjust.works
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      6 days ago

      What I want to know is - where is Luigi’s workshop?

      That kind of 3D printed gun isn’t just something you can print off at the library and start blasting. Even for a skilled 3D printing expert with a workshop full of plastic and metal working tools, you’re looking at months of prototyping, printing, fitting, testing out prototypes at a gun range, etc. It is possible for skilled crafters to build an untraceable gun from a 3D printed frame and pieces ordered off the net. But it’s nothing like just hitting “print” and having a gun.

      This is what really gets me. Luigi was apparently living as a drifter for the last year or so. His family had been trying to get in touch with him. A hostel is not the place where you’re going to be able to make a 3D printed gun. You need a workshop, and one that you can operate in with a high degree of privacy for an extended period of time.

      So, again, where is Luigi’s workshop? 3D printed guns don’t just materialized from nowhere. If Luigi made the gun, he must have a workshop. Unless the police can show where that workshop is, I’m going to assume the gun was planted on him.

      Where is Luigi’s workshop?

      • vxx@lemmy.world
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        6 days ago

        Youtube channels get banned left and right for printing functional guns on their 10 year old printers. They usually don’t design them themselves but download them. The designs are made in a way that you can built them at home.

        • WoodScientist@sh.itjust.works
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          6 days ago

          Ok. Then you just transfer the chain back one level. Who did he buy it from? Think about the logistics of buying one of those. Imagine you wanted to buy a ghost gun. How would you actually go about doing that? Yes, organized crime rings and gangs may make these things, but they don’t just sell them to any random kid who walks up wanting to buy one. They’ll obtain them for their own trusted members. But if a random white kid shows up looking to buy a gun, the thought of most people would be that this guy is planning a school shooting. And no gang wants that type of heat.

          • Peruvian_Skies@sh.itjust.works
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            5 days ago

            That doesn’t matter, though. He isn’t being charged with manufacturing an illegal firearm so the prosecution does not have the burden of proving that he did so. Likewise, if he is being charged with gun trafficking, they still don’t need to prove where he got the illegal gun from, just that he had it.

            And he’s being charged with terrorism, for fuck’s sake. Do you really think the standard for evidence at this trial will be a fair one? The prosecution is likely to get away with hearsay while the defense will be expected to provide DNA evidence from the actual killer as well as his parents and grandparents to get the case dismissed.

          • kikutwo@lemmy.world
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            6 days ago

            It’s really not this deep. A white privileged kid murdered someone in a pathetic martyr operation and he’s going to prison for decades.

    • Rhoeri@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      You cant be rational in an irrational discussion. It never goes well- and usually ends in pitchfork-related injuries.

      Be safe. These people aren’t using nuance or logic at all.