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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.” 

RELATED:

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

    Image credits: Lakeland Police Department

    Image credits: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

    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).

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

    Image credits: Blue Cross Blue Shield

    Image credits: 10 Tampa Bay

    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.”

    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

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    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, per WFLA.

    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).

    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.

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

    Image credits: Louniki_

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    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.”

    Image credits: Christina Aguayo News

    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?”

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

    Image credits: Headley Law

    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.”

    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.”

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    Bored Panda has contacted Jim Headley for comment.

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

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    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

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    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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    Add photo comments
    POST
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    TribbleThinking
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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
    5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated 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
    5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated 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.

    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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

    Limey
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated 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
    4 days ago DotsCreated 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
    4 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    Atero
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow... just wow... Looks like they are sh..t scared what extermination of parasites might actually take traction ;)

    A girl
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Several years ago a guy at the grocery store was in a foul mood and told my husband he was "going to kick his a$$". The cashier heard it. Called security. Guy got arrested for making terroristic threats. It's a misdemeanor. Likely a fine under $100. So yes. She made a terroristic threat. No she shouldn't have been jailed .

    Ace
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    FFS Andrea, why do you waste your time with this shiit?

    Carl Roberts
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because this garbage generates clicks. BP is basically a mish-mash of Buzzfeed, TMZ and Ebaum's World, at this point.

    Load More Replies...
    Anna Drever
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If we all were imprisoned every time we said something in anger there’d be very few people on the outside.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She'll not be convicted. If it should go to trial they would play hell trying to find a jury that would convict. They will probably try to plead it down to some misdemeanor (like disturbing the peace) but the poor woman would still have that on her record. The "bond court" judges are typically in a CYA mode because they (in the past) gave light bonds to people who would reoffend before the door was shut behind them and the judges were catching heat for it. They are the lowest on the food chain and have to keep up a front.

    Load More Replies...
    C L
    Community Member
    3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is no justification for murder. Murder is wrong. There are laws against murder including one of the ten commandments. Freedom is a right in this country but not freedom to hurt another citizen. The murder in NYC has had the expected outcome. We are not afraid and there is the "crowd" of nameless and faceless spewing misinformation. Therefore as citizens we feel unsafe and that is an attack on our right to be free. Free to walk a city street. Freedom to not expect to be murdered. Freedom to not expect to witness a cold blooded murder. There are many who absolutely cannot grasp any of this and again they are the nameless and faceless hiding under the skirt of a "crowd." Well one has been called out. Even when speaking the police she stated the targets of her hate deserve "karma." And, stating "they" are evil. Unbelievably stupid which is a common denominator for what we are seeing today. However, it is not new. History repeats itself. By the way, Mangioni is mentally ill.

    Manana Man
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The people who have been whining about misinformation and disinformation and demanding people be punished for it are now seeing the results of their thinking.

    Orysha
    Community Member
    4 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So you can murder thousands like Brian Thompson and Andrew Witty but you can't quote a book's title and you are put in jail with a 100,000$ bail? The USA looks a little more everyday like Staline's USSR. Free Brianan Thompson, Free Luigi Mangione! Also BP you should have a quick look at copycat's meaning (it 's a great movie starring Sigourney Weaver too).

    Hoi-Polloi
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think it was the book title that got the lady in hot water. It was the "you're next" part.

    Load More Replies...
    Mason Kronol
    Community Member
    5 days ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Hoi-Polloi
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    JFC people. I dislike the insurance industry as much as the next guy, but you just can't go around making death threats. One of the things that makes this a nice country to live in is that random citizens aren't allowed to murder people, or threaten to.

    Orysha
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Random citizens aren't, but CEOs are allowed to kill thousands for money.

    Load More Replies...
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    TribbleThinking
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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
    5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated 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
    5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated 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.

    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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

    Limey
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated 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
    4 days ago DotsCreated 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
    4 days ago DotsCreated 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.

    Atero
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow... just wow... Looks like they are sh..t scared what extermination of parasites might actually take traction ;)

    A girl
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Several years ago a guy at the grocery store was in a foul mood and told my husband he was "going to kick his a$$". The cashier heard it. Called security. Guy got arrested for making terroristic threats. It's a misdemeanor. Likely a fine under $100. So yes. She made a terroristic threat. No she shouldn't have been jailed .

    Ace
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    FFS Andrea, why do you waste your time with this shiit?

    Carl Roberts
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because this garbage generates clicks. BP is basically a mish-mash of Buzzfeed, TMZ and Ebaum's World, at this point.

    Load More Replies...
    Anna Drever
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If we all were imprisoned every time we said something in anger there’d be very few people on the outside.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She'll not be convicted. If it should go to trial they would play hell trying to find a jury that would convict. They will probably try to plead it down to some misdemeanor (like disturbing the peace) but the poor woman would still have that on her record. The "bond court" judges are typically in a CYA mode because they (in the past) gave light bonds to people who would reoffend before the door was shut behind them and the judges were catching heat for it. They are the lowest on the food chain and have to keep up a front.

    Load More Replies...
    C L
    Community Member
    3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is no justification for murder. Murder is wrong. There are laws against murder including one of the ten commandments. Freedom is a right in this country but not freedom to hurt another citizen. The murder in NYC has had the expected outcome. We are not afraid and there is the "crowd" of nameless and faceless spewing misinformation. Therefore as citizens we feel unsafe and that is an attack on our right to be free. Free to walk a city street. Freedom to not expect to be murdered. Freedom to not expect to witness a cold blooded murder. There are many who absolutely cannot grasp any of this and again they are the nameless and faceless hiding under the skirt of a "crowd." Well one has been called out. Even when speaking the police she stated the targets of her hate deserve "karma." And, stating "they" are evil. Unbelievably stupid which is a common denominator for what we are seeing today. However, it is not new. History repeats itself. By the way, Mangioni is mentally ill.

    Manana Man
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The people who have been whining about misinformation and disinformation and demanding people be punished for it are now seeing the results of their thinking.

    Orysha
    Community Member
    4 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So you can murder thousands like Brian Thompson and Andrew Witty but you can't quote a book's title and you are put in jail with a 100,000$ bail? The USA looks a little more everyday like Staline's USSR. Free Brianan Thompson, Free Luigi Mangione! Also BP you should have a quick look at copycat's meaning (it 's a great movie starring Sigourney Weaver too).

    Hoi-Polloi
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think it was the book title that got the lady in hot water. It was the "you're next" part.

    Load More Replies...
    Mason Kronol
    Community Member
    5 days ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Hoi-Polloi
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    JFC people. I dislike the insurance industry as much as the next guy, but you just can't go around making death threats. One of the things that makes this a nice country to live in is that random citizens aren't allowed to murder people, or threaten to.

    Orysha
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Random citizens aren't, but CEOs are allowed to kill thousands for money.

    Load More Replies...
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