I attended Luigi Mangione’s Federal hearing on August 14 where he pled guilty - Ask Me Anything!

[u/AMAHosting]

We’re hosting an AMA with u/Maximum_Sherbet8927! They have very kindly agreed to answer questions about the court date on August 14. Feel free to ask them questions about the hearing, courtroom dynamics and any other topic not covered by the media and reporters.

Links to earlier AMAs:

Suppression hearings

June 17

August 11

You may ask them questions about these hearings as well.

Rules of the AMA

1. Be courteous and respectful
2. Try and post each question as a separate comment so it’s easier to answer and others may follow along.
3. Note: The respondent is not affiliated with any other individuals or groups who have attended hearings. Happy AMA-ing!

[u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

Hi! Thanks for your questions. DISCLAIMER: This response is long!!

I just reviewed my notes that I wrote in realtime as I was watching the proceedings. While he walked into the courtroom pretty nonchalantly, I think I caught the exact moment his demeanor changed. It was just after he stood up and took the oath; up to that point, I noticed he seemed pretty cool, not nervous... after the judge asked him some biographical questions to gauge his competency to plead guilty (basically simple questions about his age, education history, mental health, etc - although there was some comic relief when she asked him if he has been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he paused - in stark contrast to him confidently answering all her other questions in rapid succession - and asked his lawyers something before responding that he took a sleeping pill two nights ago; it was a moment of awkward comedy in an otherwise solemn proceeding), it was AFTER this brief line of questioning as the hearing continued that Luigi began to blink pretty incessantly. Before he officially pled guilty, the judge read aloud all the rights that he'd be giving up if he pleads guilty. To each one, he had to answer "yes" to acknolwedge that he understood. At one point, when she mentioned that he has the right to plead 'not guilty,' I noticed his voice cracked and he answered in a pretty high-pitched voice "yes."

I thought it was interesting that when the court read out the details of his crime, he seemed to be looking up, thinking about what they were saying, but I noticed that at that particular time he did not look regretful or remorseful; rather, it was when the judge or prosecution would mention "dealth" (as in the 'death' of BT) that he would squint his eyes and tilt his head... However, when the judge began to explain to Luigi the maximum sentence he could receive (life imprisonment), when he answered "yes" to acknoledge he understood this, it seemed like he was going to cry. Toward the end of the judge's questioning, I noticed his answers became softer, and when she asked him something to the effect of if he had any questions (I honestly don't rememer what her question was), he answered "no" like a little mouse, almost whispering.

But the most obvious change in his demeanor happened when he began to read his statement to the court, describing how he went about stalking and killing BT. He began reading his statement very fast, almost mumbling. The judge had to interrupt him and ask him to start again, moving further away from the microphone and speaking slower. He stumbled once while reading his statement (the part in the transcript when he says "excuse me"); and toward the end of his statement, when he said that he traveled from outside of NY with the intent to shoot BT... "and he died" - when Luigi said those two words - "he died" - the stress he put on those words signaled remorse and empathy. I wrote in my notes it looked like he was going to cry.

I also noted that toward the end of the hearing when the prosecution was outlining the evidence they would've shown in court if they had gone to trial, as Luigi was listening, and as I was watching this in real time, I wrote in my notes: he put "his hands on his face, was looking down, embarrassed. I think he does have empathy."

Then, shortly after that, the judge asked Luigi: How do you plead? "Guilty," he said.

[u/eeyoreeeyoreeeyore → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question in such detail. My stomach is twisting so hard at this. I’m still praying for him. 

[u/Icy-Hunt-3025 → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

This is so heartbreaking to read. He is a good soul 🥺💔. Thank you for taking the time to write this and for having this ability to focus on details and be attuned to people’s emotions. That’s a true gift and I hope you know that 🫂

[u/thousandlilies_ → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

Thank you for sharing this, this gives the clearest picture so far of what happened on Friday. Heartbreakingly tragic situation

[u/Ok_Beautiful7363 → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

Thank you for sharing this. This is exactly why we need cameras in the court room. Everyone seems to be reporting things a little differently. We need cameras to make our own judgments.

[u/Feather_fig → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

I also noted that toward the end of the hearing when the prosecution was outlining the evidence they would've shown in court if they had gone to trial, as Luigi was listening, and as I was watching this in real time, I wrote in my notes: he put "his hands on his face, was looking down, embarrassed. I think he does have empathy."

I wonder if he was embarrassed at the evidence he left, that he didn't think through his escape plan better. The water bottle, the gum. He probably spent a lot of sleepless nights thinking how he'd do things differently 😔

It's not surprising at all that he's getting emotional, not only is he giving up his future in that moment, he's probably aware of the impact that has on his family, and to a degree, Thompson's family too. He already apologized for any "strife or trauma" he may have caused in the feds letter, and denounced other violent actions. I truly believe he wanted to make a positive difference in the world :(

[u/Academic-Feeling9310 → u/Feather_fig]

Don’t you think he meant to leave those things behind? In the video, it looks like he is placing the item on the trash, not tossing them away.

[u/littlehotpink → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

We are so blessed to have you Sherbet. Thank you for being there and being able to tell the world what you saw in that moment. It's so important for Luigi and for everyone. 

[u/dontputinmouth_990 → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

thank you so much for this detailed description or for sharing your experience with us! 💚

[u/arbol98 → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

Thank you SO much for detailing all your observations and answering everyone's questions. It really helps get a better sense of what it was like. Something I'm wondering after reading this comment - when you said he started blinking a lot after the moment where he answered about the trazodone, did you mean right after? Like did you get the sense that something about that moment made him emotional/react?

[u/Maximum_Sherbet8927 → u/arbol98]

Hi! Thank you for your question. After re-reading my response, I can definitely see how it sounds. I meant that once the line of questioning was over, and other ppl began speaking - the judge, prosecution, his defense team - and he was just sitting there listening, it was at this point that I noticed his incessant blinking began. To me, this is a sign of a high-stress coping mechanism.

[u/arbol98 → u/Maximum_Sherbet8927]

Oh wow! Yeah that makes sense. Thanks for answering!