The Mangione Trial

• The Mangione conspiracy theories

  Pokemon, number 286, eyebrow length – we explore the popularity of conspiracy theories and where they come from. This episode unpicks some of these theories and why they spread on platforms like TikTok and Reddit. Over three million posts went up on social media the week after the shooting of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione in December 2024. While the many posts expressed horror at a cold blooded murder, some shared theories about the case. Luigi Mangione denies the charges against him. This episode will explore why this case has engrossed so many different people around the world and ask why conspiracies have become so popular in online culture. Jordan Dunbar speaks to disinformation journalist David Gilbert of Wired magazine and clinical psychologist Dr Shauna Bowes. They examine why this case garnered such attention online. The Mangione Trial podcast takes a step back to unpick and understand the facts and conspiracies surrounding this case. We explore why this story has engrossed so many different people around the world and bring you news updates as they happen. Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63 If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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• Court update: Mangione’s plea

  This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates. Luigi Mangione enters his pleas to all federal charges over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mr Thompson, a father of two, was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel late last year. Mangione faces four federal charges - murder, using a weapon with a silencer, and two counts of stalking. Prosecutors are seeking a death penalty. Jordan Dunbar hears from the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik, who was in the packed Manhattan courtroom to hear Mangione enter his plea. Nada unpacks the important developments in the hearing, and describes the scenes as Mangione supporters gather outside.The Mangione Trial podcast unpicks the conspiracies around Luigi Mangione and considers the facts. The reaction to the murder of Brian Thompson and his suspected killer has been unprecedented. We will look at how such a shocking case set social media alight. If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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  16:29
• How US healthcare works

  This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.The murder of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson shocked America but also led to rallies and protests about the country’s complicated and sometimes controversial healthcare system. Phrases like “Deny Defend Depose” appeared on social media. The same words were chanted at protest rallies in the weeks after Luigi Mangione was arrested. What do these slogans mean, and what have they got to do with a murder on the streets of New York? This episode explores how the health insurance system works in the United States and hears from one woman who says she spent $40,000 trying to get treatment for her daughter. The insurance company paying for the treatment explains why they believe there were delays in the process. The Mangione Trial podcast unpicks the conspiracies around Luigi Mangione and considers the facts. The reaction to the murder of Brian Thompson and his suspected killer has been unprecedented. We will look at how such a shocking case set social media alight.If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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• What's coming next

  We just want to give you a quick update – a heads up that we have some new episodes on the way. With this podcast, we are bringing you episodes when there are developments in the case but are also bringing you episodes in which we try to unpick and explain the facts and examine and get to the bottom of conspiracy theories. On 23 April, we’ll be publishing the first of four new episodes – with the rest being published once a week for the following three weeks.If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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  3:22
• News update: US prosecutors seek death penalty

  This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates. US attorney general Pam Bondi has announced prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo has released a blistering statement attacking the decision. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges but has yet to enter a plea for federal charges. He is currently awaiting trial in a New York federal prison. Jordan Dunbar discusses the developments with the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik who explains the latest news, and answers a question being asked on social media; does New York have the death penalty? The Mangione Trial podcast unpicks the conspiracies around Luigi Mangione and considers the facts. The reaction to the murder of Brian Thompson and his suspected killer has been unprecedented. We will look at how such a shocking case set social media alight. Why was there such a reaction to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit? We'll keep up to date with every development and explain what happens in the court process. If you have heard of a claim you want us to fact check, or a question for us to tackle, email us at [email protected] you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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