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Florida Woman Becomes First Luigi Mangione Copycat To Be Arrested, Left In Tears During Hearing
Florida Woman Becomes First Luigi Mangione Copycat To Be Arrested, Left In Tears During Hearing
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Florida Woman Becomes First Luigi Mangione Copycat To Be Arrested, Left In Tears During Hearing

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A Florida woman became the first alleged Luigi Mangione copycat to be arrested. Briana Boston was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, USA, on Tuesday (December 10) after allegedly threatening her health insurer using language similar to that tied to Mangione, the suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter

On Tuesday, Boston was allegedly speaking with a representative from Blue Cross Blue Shield, an American health insurance provider, after she had been told that her medical claim was denied.

Highlights
  • Briana Boston arrested in Florida for using language similar to Luigi Mangione's.
  • Boston charged after threatening insurer, referencing 2010 book 'Delay, Deny, Defend'.
  • Boston, mother of three, held on $100,000 bond despite no prior criminal record.

Boston, frustrated by the denied medical claim, reportedly ended her call with Blue Cross Blue Shield by saying, “Delay, deny, depose. You people are next.” 

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    A Florida woman became the first alleged Luigi Mangione copycat to be arrested

    Briana Boston in a prison uniform, related to Luigi Mangione case, looks emotional during legal proceedings.

    Image credits: Lakeland Police Department

    Mugshot of UnitedHealth Care CEO assassination suspect, Luigi Mangione.

    Image credits: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

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    Mangione’s alleged crime involved shell casings engraved with similar phrases like “deny” and “depose,” referencing criticism of the insurance industry. 

    The words are rooted in the 2010 book Delay, Deny, Defend by Rutgers law professor Jay Feinman, which critiques how insurance companies allegedly avoid paying legitimate claims. 

    Police said that near the end of the recorded conversation with the insurance provider, Boston can be heard saying, “Delay, deny, depose. You people are next,” ABC News reported on Friday (December 13).

    Briana Boston was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, USA, on Tuesday (December 10) after allegedly threatening her health insurer 

    BlueCross BlueShield logo featuring a blue cross and shield symbol.

    Image credits: Blue Cross Blue Shield

    Briana Boston in courtroom, emotional during hearing.

    Image credits: 10 Tampa Bay

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    When Lakeland Police confronted Boston about the perceived threats, she reportedly apologized and said that she “used those words because it’s what is in the news right now.”

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    The 42-year-old mom-of-three further informed authorities that she did not own any guns and was not a threat, but went on to say that healthcare companies “deserve karma” and that they are “evil,” ABC News reported.

    “Boston further stated the health care companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil,” police said in the affidavit.

    Boston allegedly used language similar to that tied to Mangione, the suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter

    Graffiti on a wall with slogans including "Shoot Ur Local CEO" and "Deny Defend Depose.

    Image credits: Louniki_

    Following the investigation, Boston was reportedly charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism and booked at a jail in Polk County.

    “She’s been in this world long enough that she certainly should know better that you can’t make threats like that in the current environment that we live in and think that we’re not going to follow up and put you in jail,” said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor, perWFLA.

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    A judge set her bond at $100,000, describing it as “appropriate considering the status of our country at this point,” The Daily Beast reported on Thursday (December 12).

    USPS sticker with "Deny Defend Depose" graffiti.

    Image credits: Louniki_

    In footage from her court appearance, Boston appeared to cry after learning that she was going to be placed in jail on a triple-figure bond, as per The Daily Beast.

    Her attorney Jim Headley told the court: “My client is 42, married mother of three. Never had any criminal charges or convictions. May you release her on her own recognizance.”

    Hashtags like #FreeBriana and #JusticeForBriana have since been trending online, with supporters arguing her words were an expression of anger rather than a real threat.

    The words are rooted in the 2010 book Delay, Deny, Defend by Rutgers law professor Jay Feinman

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    Graffiti on a wall referencing Luigi Mangione, with phrases in red paint, against an urban background.

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    Image credits: Louniki_

    A Facebook user commented: “Isn’t freedom of speech beautiful behind bars? Locked away from your children, denied your freedom of speech, while yet another CEO makes hundreds of thousands off of more denied claims.” 

    A Threads user wrote: “Briana Boston is being made an example of and it’s no coincidence this happened in Florida. 

    “They’re afraid. Mirroring back injustices on the system that perpetrates them is criticism, not a threat.”

    Briana Boston in court covers her face, dressed in dark blue, with people in orange uniforms in the background.

    Image credits: Christina Aguayo News

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    A person shared: “Even if someone wants to argue that this was a threat, 15 years at 100K bond is an absolutely insane consequence. 

    “They’re trying to make an example out of her. It’s literally fascism.”

    Someone else questioned: “Excuse me. Why aren’t more people talking about Briana Boston?”

    Her attorney Jim Headley told the court: “My client is 42, married mother of three. Never had any criminal charges or convictions”

    Briana Boston's attorney Jim Headley in suit with sunglasses outdoors.

    Image credits: Headley Law

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    A separate individual chimed in: “Briana Boston. She’s a queen and a living legend. She did nothing wrong. 

    “They trying to make an example out of her. Fascism at its core. We have to be smart about how we interact with the people in power. 

    “We will win this, just play it smart. Briana Boston, remember her name.”

    Petition for Briana Boston, seeking signatures for release.

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    Image credits: Change.org

    Since Mangione was identified as the prime suspect in Brian Thompson’s murder, trends linked to evidence from the case have surfaced. 

    On Tuesday, “Wanted” posters targeting corporate executives appeared across New York City, many featuring the phrase “Deny. Defend. Depose.”

    Bored Panda has contacted Jim Headley for comment.

    “They don’t punish abusers and ped*s nearly as harshly,” a reader commented

    Tweet discussing the severity of threats compared to other crimes; mention of a Briana Boston linked to Luigi Mangione case.

    Image credits: ChaoticGood42_

    Twitter post about prison sentence disparity discussed online.

    Image credits: hemendraksakre

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    Tweet by a woman questioning freedom of speech after being jailed for quoting a book title.

    Image credits: marissamarie25

    Tweet by user discussing socioeconomic issues related to crime.

    Image credits: valyeet_

    Tweet about justice system bias in response to Luigi Mangione copycat case in Florida.

    Image credits: Jungkook_arch

    Tweet discussing Briana Boston arrested while seeking healthcare.

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    Image credits: MrThaGoo

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    Tweet discussing public examples to discourage emboldened actions, related to Briana Boston's arrest as Luigi Mangione copycat.

    Image credits: pericycling

    Tweet mentioning Briana Boston and concerns about jailing for words, in context of Luigi Mangione copycat case.

    Image credits: thedexmlr

    Social media post questioning free speech in the context of Briana Boston's arrest as a Luigi Mangione copycat.

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    Image credits: Moka_MtF2

    Tweet about Briana Boston arrested, sparking discussion on justice.

    Image credits: livsdreamgirl

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    Tweet reacting to Briana Boston's arrest related to Luigi Mangione.

    Image credits: theziggiestzag

    Jane's tweet about the arrested Briana Boston and her legal consequences.

    Image credits: Jane78087396394

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    Tweet discussing behavior towards customer service.

    Image credits: failninjaninja

    Tweet discussing Briana Boston arrested.

    Image credits: Boxing_Pandas

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    Tweet from AcceptableOpinions on legal threats.

    Image credits: TolerantOpinion

    Tweet criticizing Briana Boston's arrest, mentioning terroristic threat.

    Image credits: A_Sober_Drunk

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    Tweet screenshot discussing threat criminalization by a user.

    Image credits: DestroyShithole

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

    What do you think ?
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, "Florida woman" aside... 15 years? For words? Sure, threatening, but no actual crime. Meantime, rapists getting off because they have a promising swimming career. F**k you, american "justice" system.

    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Serious verbal threats get investigated no one really gets arrested in the US we are exercising freedom of speech and press. Words are just words no real act of crime have been committed unless they carry out the threat.

    Load More Replies...
    TribbleThinking
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder when an attorney is going to use the orange horror's Jan 6 words as a merely-talking-out-loud-can't-be-prosecuted-for-that defence.

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    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If this keeps up, that is, jailing people for no crime, this will get rapidly out of hand.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And what the people jailing them for no crime, as well as their wealthy puppet masters, don’t realize is, if you belong to a group that’s only 1% of a large population, then you better not p**s them off for too long. Remember, there are WAY more of them than there are of you, and all your security fences and safe rooms won’t be worth s**t when the 99% start breaking down your doors, and your security staff who are also members of that 99%, will be right there with them, giving them all the codes to get into everywhere, including your “safe rooms”. They’ll be there to drag you out and string you up as soon as they’ve gotten all your account logins and passwords, drained them dry, and redistributed the money to those who actually need it. If the rich don’t straighten themselves and their greed up, and do it now, there will be a revolution and it will not be pretty for them, or their enablers. Just ask the aristocracy and the loyal members of their staff in 1789 France, or the same people in 1917 Russia, exactly how that all plays out.

    Load More Replies...
    Tamra
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, wait, wait...so a man convicted of dozens of felonies not only gets NO sentencing, but gets to run for and WIN the presidency, but a regular, everyday citizen spouts some current buzzwords in anger and frustration gets a massive fine and potential prison time? The disparity between how the wealthy and not-wealthy are treated is out of control. What the hell is happening in this country? I am disgusted.

    Princess Buttercup
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    thank you thank you thank you I knew I wasn't the only one enraged by his special treatment. It's f*****g hypocritical and absolute b******t that that orange fucktard was convicted and now they are delaying his sentencing indefinitely. Absolute garbage.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not a copy cat if there's no shooting/attempted shooting.

    Limey
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And if you are DJT or one of his cronies you can threaten jurors, judges, voting officials and… nothing. Don’t fear the facism to come, it’s already here.

    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right wingers love freedom of speech as long as the words aren’t directed at the rich

    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They were on her like a duck on a junebug. No “delay” there.

    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well there goes freedom of the press. She made a statement she didnt kill anyone. I understand being on alert after some one actually got killed. And if anything they should be looking at the big picture we pay a boatload of money for health insurance that is needed and we get crappy treatment for the thousands of dollars that we pay into it . I can understand peoples frustrastions. But its time that us little guys get heard not punished.

    ginshun
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This woman hasn't been sentenced to anything, she's only just been arrested. She's not getting 15 years for this. No jury is convicting her of "a threat to carry out a mass shooting" or whatever stupid thing she is charged with.

    Load More Comments
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, "Florida woman" aside... 15 years? For words? Sure, threatening, but no actual crime. Meantime, rapists getting off because they have a promising swimming career. F**k you, american "justice" system.

    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Serious verbal threats get investigated no one really gets arrested in the US we are exercising freedom of speech and press. Words are just words no real act of crime have been committed unless they carry out the threat.

    Load More Replies...
    TribbleThinking
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder when an attorney is going to use the orange horror's Jan 6 words as a merely-talking-out-loud-can't-be-prosecuted-for-that defence.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If this keeps up, that is, jailing people for no crime, this will get rapidly out of hand.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And what the people jailing them for no crime, as well as their wealthy puppet masters, don’t realize is, if you belong to a group that’s only 1% of a large population, then you better not p**s them off for too long. Remember, there are WAY more of them than there are of you, and all your security fences and safe rooms won’t be worth s**t when the 99% start breaking down your doors, and your security staff who are also members of that 99%, will be right there with them, giving them all the codes to get into everywhere, including your “safe rooms”. They’ll be there to drag you out and string you up as soon as they’ve gotten all your account logins and passwords, drained them dry, and redistributed the money to those who actually need it. If the rich don’t straighten themselves and their greed up, and do it now, there will be a revolution and it will not be pretty for them, or their enablers. Just ask the aristocracy and the loyal members of their staff in 1789 France, or the same people in 1917 Russia, exactly how that all plays out.

    Load More Replies...
    Tamra
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, wait, wait...so a man convicted of dozens of felonies not only gets NO sentencing, but gets to run for and WIN the presidency, but a regular, everyday citizen spouts some current buzzwords in anger and frustration gets a massive fine and potential prison time? The disparity between how the wealthy and not-wealthy are treated is out of control. What the hell is happening in this country? I am disgusted.

    Princess Buttercup
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    thank you thank you thank you I knew I wasn't the only one enraged by his special treatment. It's f*****g hypocritical and absolute b******t that that orange fucktard was convicted and now they are delaying his sentencing indefinitely. Absolute garbage.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not a copy cat if there's no shooting/attempted shooting.

    Limey
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And if you are DJT or one of his cronies you can threaten jurors, judges, voting officials and… nothing. Don’t fear the facism to come, it’s already here.

    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right wingers love freedom of speech as long as the words aren’t directed at the rich

    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They were on her like a duck on a junebug. No “delay” there.

    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well there goes freedom of the press. She made a statement she didnt kill anyone. I understand being on alert after some one actually got killed. And if anything they should be looking at the big picture we pay a boatload of money for health insurance that is needed and we get crappy treatment for the thousands of dollars that we pay into it . I can understand peoples frustrastions. But its time that us little guys get heard not punished.

    ginshun
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This woman hasn't been sentenced to anything, she's only just been arrested. She's not getting 15 years for this. No jury is convicting her of "a threat to carry out a mass shooting" or whatever stupid thing she is charged with.

    Load More Comments
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