this post was submitted on 18 Dec 2024
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A poll found 41 percent of adults under 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson acceptable, more than the 40 percent in that demographic who consider it unacceptable.

Anger over health insurance companies has been in the spotlight after Thompson was fatally shot Dec. 4 in New York City.

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old, was arrested last week in Pennsylvania and faces charges in Thompson’s killing.

The survey from Emerson College Polling found 68 percent of all respondents found the actions of the person who shot and killed Thompson unacceptable.

But a startling 24 percent of those aged 18-29 found it “somewhat acceptable,” and 17 percent of that group found it completely acceptable.

Since Thompson was shot, first in the back and then again as he fell to the ground, a number of social media posts from people saying they do not have sympathy for his death have gained popularity.

Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling, said 22 percent of Democrats said they found the killing acceptable, compared to 16 percent of independents and 12 percent of Republicans. He said the overall findings underscored “shifting societal attitudes among the youngest electorate and within party lines.”

Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pa., following a tip from a McDonald’s employee. Law enforcement has not publicly disclosed his suspected motive, if one is known.

Mangione is slated to be appear in court in Pennsylvania on Thursday for gun charges he faces in the state. Another proceeding will take place Dec. 30; New York is attempting to extradite the Maryland native to the Empire State, where he faces a murder charge, according to court records.

The survey was conducted Dec. 11-13 among 1,000 registered voters. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.

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[–] JokeDeity@lemm.ee 7 points 3 days ago

That number is far too low.

[–] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 47 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Jury nullification will be a big issue.

I wouldn’t convict the guy of anything more than having an unlicensed gun.

[–] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

The prosecutors will find ways to exclude all jurors under the age of 65.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 20 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Not going to happen. Jurors get very specific instructions to consider the charges, exactly what actions meet the criteria and are told to only consider the merit of the charges. It's all very solemn and the vast majority of people take it seriously. They'll find him guilty. Unless the BS terrorism charges blow it for the prosecution. We can hope.

[–] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 42 points 5 days ago

If you believe in jury nullification you would also lie your ass off in voir dire.

[–] njm1314@lemmy.world 20 points 5 days ago

They'll find him guilty because they'll tamper with the juries. You can guarantee that. Be it through bribery or threats that jury is going to know they better convict.

[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 18 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I tried to get a grand jury to nullify drug charges once. It was extremely depressing. Everyone was like "but we have to follow the rules. They told us."

Grand jury is simple majority. Everyone else voted to indict. Even the juror that was sleeping, snores and all, indicted on every charge.

[–] JokeDeity@lemm.ee 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

No way. No way I'm letting a juror sleep through the process and then get to vote. I would have made such a huge deal about that shit. Fuck that dude.

[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 2 points 3 days ago

Every time I brought anything up, like the guy sleeping, the injustice of sending people to jail for marijuana, the fact that they were asking us to indict someone for like "intent to use a gun in a crime" when all the cop said was they found a gun in the house, most of the people on the jury were like "come on! Shut up! We just want to go home!"

On a grand jury the defense has no role. The prosecutors don't really care so long as they're getting their indictments.

I think about this whenever a cop isn't indicted.

[–] IDKWhatUsernametoPutHereLolol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 34 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Acceptable?

More like "Based, I'd do the same thing too!"

[–] thebardingreen@lemmy.starlightkel.xyz 7 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

You see sigma Luigi mewing in the mug shot? That guy's looksmaxing like a level nine rizzler no cap. He's in the Ohio backrooms now though. What the skibidi. Ws in the chat for Luigi.

[–] emmanuel_car@fedia.io 6 points 5 days ago

Watersports for Luigi? If you insist…

[–] django@discuss.tchncs.de 15 points 5 days ago

Isn't this practically self-defense in the US?

[–] LMagicalus@discuss.tchncs.de 16 points 5 days ago (1 children)

41 percent

40 percent

The margin of error was 3 percentage points.

Man, I LOVE articles about surveys. So informative, and not at all misleading! /s

[–] remotelove@lemmy.ca 9 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (2 children)

41 percent of adults under 30 consider the killing [acceptable]

more than the 40 percent in that demographic who consider it unacceptable.

68 percent of all respondents found the actions of the person who shot and killed Thompson unacceptable.

startling 24 percent of those aged 18-29 found it “somewhat acceptable,”

17 percent of that group found it completely acceptable.

22 percent of Democrats said they found the killing acceptable, compared to 16 percent of independents and 12 percent of Republicans.

The survey was conducted Dec. 11-13 among 1,000 registered voters. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.

When you strip out the randomly inserted bits of the story, that add zero context, it makes complete sense. Oh. Wait.

Edit: Where was that blurb from, OP? Ground just gives a list of similar articles and summary bullet points.

[–] seahorse@midwest.social 1 points 4 days ago
[–] edwardbear@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (2 children)

You mean… people would just go and lie? On the internet? Stats are made up. I’ve not met a single person who says “yeah, the Thompson murder was not justified”

[–] inv3r5ion@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 4 days ago

I’ve met them, but they’re all members of the elite, horrified that the masses are finally resorting to violence against them, especially a member of their own class being a traitor towards them.

Most people are horrified by violence and the fact that we’ve come to this point, but most are also ambivalent at worst about this guy being on the receiving end of the violence. He would have a lot more sympathy if he wasn’t the CEO of a health insurance company that mostly acts as an extortion and protection racket.

[–] icosahedron@ttrpg.network 2 points 4 days ago

though i'm sure you also make a conscious effort to avoid the kind of people who love ceos

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 13 points 5 days ago

So half-and-half? That's the story? GenZ, I am disappoint.

[–] Commiunism@beehaw.org 10 points 5 days ago

Only 41 percent?

[–] Mango@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago

58% say it's 10/10, would enjoy again!

The 1% disagree.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago

Ask stupid questions, get stupid answers.

[–] ShimmeringKoi@hexbear.net 5 points 5 days ago

The other 49%: