LOS ANGELES.–UnitedHealthcare’s late CEO Brian Thomoson’s, 50, killer Luigi Mangione was arraigned today in Altoona, Pa., charged with one count of murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged documents, and one count of third degree criminal possession of a firearm. All the press reports have centered since the Dec. 4 cold blooded murder near the Midtown Hilton on capturing the fugitive that managed to elude the NYPD, fleeing from the crime scene on a bicycle, disappearing in Central Park, and winding up on a Greyhound bus to part unknown before turned in to police at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pa. Dec. 8. Handcuffed and escorted into the Altoona Courthouse, Mangione shouted to the press, “It’s completely out of touch! It’s an insult to the intelligence of the American people!” said Mangione.
Mangione left a trail of evidence from the crime scene to Central Park and was arrested in Altoona with the murder weapon, silencer, fake IDs, masks and even a revealing manifesto proving beyond a reasonable doubt he was the one who shot Thomson in the back. But what’s no talked about yet before Mangione is processed by the legal system is his current mental state. Mangione’s public outburst suggest, at the very least, that he’s a disturbed young man, most likely suffering from some type of undiagnosed mental illness. All that has yet to come out when the legal proceeding get underway and Mangione will be assigned a public defender to obtain counsel from his well-heeled parents. What been revealed so far about Luigi is that he was valedictorian of Baltimore’s Gilman High School class and a BA and MA in computer science graduate of Ivy League University of Pennsylvania.
Whatever Mangione’s motives contained in his manifesto, all his disdain for corporate greed in the health care industry, his outburst on the steps of the Altoona courthouse gives a free X-Ray into the 26-year-old’s mental status. Mangione wrote in his manifesto that Thomson’s killing “had to be done” and that “frankly, these parasites had I coming,” reflecting the kind of rage-filled language seen in paranoid suspects. Screaming to the press on steps of the courthouse showed that Luigi was in an agitated state heading into court. Before entering a plea in court, Magnione showed that he’s not prepared for what’s coming. Pennslyvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, 51, said yesterday that Mangione was no hero or vigilante taking on the corrupt health care industry. Internet and social networks were lighting up with supportive statements about taking out UnitedHealthcare’s 50year-old CEO.
Criminal justice system take suspects at face value, in this case Mangione murdered Thomson because the insurance industry must pay for the fraud-and-abuse perpetrated on the public. There are plenty of disgruntled victims of the health care industry that agree with Luigi’s statements that “It’s completely out of touch. It’s an insult to the intelligence of the American people,” expressing for all to see a glimpse of his inner world that led him to commit such a horrendous crime. Whatever misgivings Luigi had with the healthcare are industry, there were alternatives to murdering in cold blood a popular CEO. Reports recently about Luigi suffering from chronic back problems preventing him from surfing don’t justify commiting premediated murder to express his frustration with his medical insurance. Yet there are always some that agree with Luigi’s misguide actions.
Reports about Luigi’s mother, Kathleen Mangione, telling authorities he was missing person Nov. 18 suggest something was going on. R.J. Martin, a friend who once lived in the same complex in Honolulu, said Luigi “went radio silent in June or July,” meaning he was incommunicado. Breaking off normal contacts isn’t uncommon for individuals suffering from some kind of mental illness, where they become trapped in their own thoughts, unable to communicate rationally to friends and family. When you consider the elaborate nature of Luigi’s murder plot, all the planning that went into it, assembling a ghost gun and suppressor, all the fake IDs, all the preparations to commit a heinous crime, he couldn’t share his plans with anyone without outing himself. So, when Mangione started screaming incoherently at the courthouse today, it should surprise no one.
Much more will be revealed about Mangione in the next few days pointing to a mental breakdown, for an intelligent and accomplished young man to destroy his life. Law enforcement have everything they need to prosecute their First Degree murder case against Luigi Mangione. But the real story of how a human breaks down into premeditate killer has not yet been told. Listening to Mangione go ballistic before going seen by a judge to give or not give his plea shows how little is known about the 26-year-old Penn graduate who once had a bright future. Now Mangione faces the death penalty or more likely life-in-prison without parole. Jail officials should watch Mangione carefully on a suicide watch because he could become suicidal very quickly once it all sinks in. Maginone will no doubt get extradited to New York where’s he’ll face all the relevant charges.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
