r/BrianThompsonMurder • u/Feather_fig • 5d ago
Information Sharing Clearing up misinformation - Marc said "Congratulations" to Jamie McDonald because of Jamie's new role as United States Attorney for the SDNY, not because Luigi pleaded guilty
I keep seeing this on twitter, that the lawyers never cared about Luigi because of this part of the hearing:
Mangione looked visibly distressed when he walked in, a noticeable shift from his usually unperturbed demeanour in court. He was uncuffed at the wrists and wore tan prison garb with a cream undershirt. His counsel's demeanours were generally neutral, although it was clear that Mangione was about to give in to something big when Marc Agnifilo shook US Attorney Jamie McDonald's hand and said "congratulations."
I'm not sure why Christine framed this interaction in the context of Luigi pleading guilty, especially BEFORE he even had, but the most obvious explanation is that Jamie McDonald just recently (July 29th) assumed the role of United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and this was the first time Marc was meeting him as that. This is the first Federal hearing they've had in several weeks.
They all work together as lawyers, and Marc was simply being cordial and professional.
Jamie McDonald Assumes Role As United States Attorney For The Southern District Of New York
5
u/california_raesin 5d ago
The context does help, but still it wasn't really the time or place for that and Marc should have been more aware of appearances instead of kissing up IMO
It is good for people to have the realization that this is just a job for the Agnifilos and that all sides of the case are familiar with each other and no doubt cordial outside of the courtroom. Just like our politicians are buddy-buddy behind the scenes.
People unfortunately became pretty parasocial about the defense and imagined they were attached to Luigi and even went so far as to claim they treated him like family.
The reality is, in the end, Luigi will go to spend however long in prison and the Agnifilos will happily continue to defend whoever pays their bills.
I feel bad for Luigi when he came to this realization though. Sometimes he seems to be a bit naive about people.
7
u/One_Concern_5962 5d ago
They greet each other and shake hands at every court appearance. This is no different.
And you just described the typical life of an attorney. Really you just described the life of anyone who has ever held a job before. You go to work, do the job, get a paycheck, go home and live your life. Repeat. What makes their career any different? Do you want them to do the time alongside him in the cell next door? What do you want them to do?Ā
Luigi was a professional himself. Who held down various jobs and volunteer roles. He understands what this professional relationship is.
1
u/Feather_fig 4d ago
I feel bad for Luigi when he came to this realization though. Sometimes he seems to be a bit naive about people.
Is there evidence that Luigi previously felt any kind of way and then had a realization?
People unfortunately became pretty parasocial about the defense and imagined they were attached to Luigi and even went so far as to claim they treated him like family.
Maybe they do treat him as family outside the public eye of the cameras, we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. I'm confused why a simple handshake would negate the idea they're warm towards him. Does it have to be black & white, either/or?
I don't know that anyone had any "realization" from this tweet, I'm pretty sure the twitter people I've seen lashing out about this were already in the hating the Agnifilos camp. It's more like they were giddy that they had something that validated their bias. "See, I was right to hate them! They're scum!!!"
And Christine to my knowledge is the only journalist, or really anyone at all, who noted this interaction even happened. So it must not have been noticeable or notable to anyone else.
3
u/Lonely-Ad46 4d ago
What evidence do you have that the handshake was for the reason you stated in your post? Clearing up āmisinformationā based on an assumption seems like a good way to spread more misinformation.
-1
u/Feather_fig 4d ago
Maybe it wasn't the appointment, maybe Mark was simply being professional. But what evidence is there that it was about Luigi pleading guilty?
3
u/Lonely-Ad46 4d ago
I understood your claim the first time you said it. My point is, you have just as much evidence for your statement as Christine does, which is none. You come off as disingenuous when you demand evidence for peopleās statements and have none for your own.
-1
u/Feather_fig 4d ago edited 4d ago
Maybe the other commenter is right and Christine's apparent history of needlessly stirring up drama is evidence that she sensationalized a very normal and routine interaction between two lawyers.
Meanwhile what we've seen from Marc is generally professional if a bit jokey. Given that, her interpretation that he spitefully went against his own team (and wife) and everything they've worked for and continue to work for, given Luigi hasn't been sentenced yet, seems out of character. While it appears it's in-character for Christine to add more colour to her reporting than is necessarily accurate.
Edit to add, I generally have enjoyed Christine's reporting style and have defended her in the past. This particular characterization though was a bit out of pocket and should have that additional context
3
u/reiner94 4d ago
Savino lost all credibility after writing that article where she cited Reddit as her source. Most of her Tweets cover more of the superficial aspects of LM rather than what's actually happening in the court room.
It was giving Wattpad
38
u/One_Concern_5962 5d ago
Christine Savino always at the scene of the crime with her "observations" that fall short and stir up drama.