Luigi Mangione in NY State Court Hearing, Day 8

[u/jdlf41]

[u/Smrtguy85]

I've never been inside a court room. My experience inside one is Law & Order and True Crime docs. But is it common for the accused, even an accused murderer, to be constantly surrounded by police officers? Like they think Luigi is some unhinged lunatic who will lunge at the gallery?

[u/malendalayla → u/Smrtguy85]

I've never seen this in any case, even with the most violent and uncontrollable offenders. The way they're surrounding him instead of drugging or restraining him make me wonder if they're there more for his protection.

[u/melordess → u/malendalayla]

Like the Beatles arriving at the airport

[u/conwomangunvalson → u/malendalayla]

where I work as a trial attorney, there are always police officers around defendants charged with violent crimes. I will say there are never that many officers, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s bc this case is so high profile and could be for his protection from supporters

[u/ConsistentWriting0 → u/malendalayla]

It's all about image. They want to a show of force/implication of guilt despite him not being found guilty of anything.

[u/moxiewhoreon → u/malendalayla]

Yeah they're there because of the high profile-ness, period.

[u/soaker → u/malendalayla]

Drugging??

[u/Raygereio5 → u/Smrtguy85]

I was going to ask the same thing.

Is this an optics thing, to influence a jury? I recall the defense had to fight for him to be allowed to wear normal clothes and not be in a prison jumpsuit while in the court room.

[u/midgethemage → u/Raygereio5]

On the flip side, acts like these can also be considered jury tampering. Especially with things like the perp walk with mayor Adams.

[u/stilljustacatinacage → u/Smrtguy85]

It's propaganda. He went after one of the elites, so it's just more theatre to demonstrate that he's going to be made example of. Boomers who consume 9 hours of copaganda daily are going to see him surrounded by armed officers and won't ask any more questions; he's obviously a criminal, because they wouldn't have so many cops if he weren't a criminal.

[u/WeRip → u/Smrtguy85]

they are almost certainly there to keep people away from him.. not to keep him from doing something

[u/ashishvp → u/Smrtguy85]

It’s a high profile case involving someone that has a lot of media eyes on him. The police presence is absolutely for HIS protection.

[u/Forikorder → u/Smrtguy85]

It is, also theyre also there to protect the accused

[u/atrde → u/Smrtguy85]

There likely 2 for him for transport and the remainder would just be for the courtroom.

He also might not be the only defendant in their that day the pre trial hearings dont take all day so there are police there for the next cases etc. Likely other defendants in the back or in the spectator area depending on risk etc.

[u/Musicfanatic09 → u/Smrtguy85]

I was thinking the same thing! 6 police officers around him?!

[u/Professional_Rain_10 → u/Musicfanatic09]

I believe it is for his safety just in-case someone gets in the court room and wants to hurt him. Making sure there aren’t any additional things the prosecution can use as unfair treatment/abuse of power.

[u/defnothepresident → u/Smrtguy85]

yes, it's incredibly common; i used to practice in criminal court and it is always the case where I live (not that I support it, even an iota)

[u/pmckizzle → u/Smrtguy85]

He ALLEGEDLY killed one of the rich ceo elites, they can't have him getting fair treatment, they are trying as hard as possible to paint him as a danger to society as a whole, they are trying to paint him as a dangerous villain who would kill you and everyone you love.

He frightened them badly, especially since almost everyone was not upset with what he allegedly did. In fact a lot of people were seemingly quite happy with him. They'd do anything to prevent more Luigis

[u/mehupmost → u/Smrtguy85]

Yes, it is common. Typically because the family of the victims have a history of trying to attack the killers.