17 votes

Lawyer: Shooter wasn't trying to kill a mob boss. He was under 'QAnon' delusion

9 comments

  1. [2]
    Deimos
    Link
    These probably aren't really worth submitting separately, but in other vaguely related news today: "MAGA bomber" Cesar Sayoc was radicalized by Trump and Fox News before terror plot, lawyer says...
    8 votes
    1. moonbathers
      Link Parent
      I didn't think there was anything dumber than being part of the Qult, but only pretending to be part of the Qult (which I doubt she's just pretending) takes the cake.

      I didn't think there was anything dumber than being part of the Qult, but only pretending to be part of the Qult (which I doubt she's just pretending) takes the cake.

  2. [5]
    Algernon_Asimov
    Link
    Is that really a can of worms Gottlieb really wants to open? Does he really want a legal ruling that someone who believes QAnon is mentally ill? I understand how it might be in the short-term...

    The details contained in the filing are part of Comello's planned "mental disease or defect" defense, Gottlieb said.

    Is that really a can of worms Gottlieb really wants to open? Does he really want a legal ruling that someone who believes QAnon is mentally ill?

    I understand how it might be in the short-term interests of this particular client, but it would set a dangerous precedent. It would give all conspiracy theorists a free pass to do whatever they want, knowing that they won't be convicted.

    Of course, it would also provide confirmation to those same conspiracy theorists that the rest of society is out to get them, and separate them even further from the mainstream.

    I also don't see why Mr Comello would agree to being labelled mentally ill on the basis that he believes the QAnon theory. In his eyes, he has access to the real truth and the rest of us are deluded. Why would he let himself be labelled crazy for believing the truth?

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      rkcr
      Link Parent
      Getting committed to a mental institution (potentially for years) is hardly a free pass.

      Getting committed to a mental institution (potentially for years) is hardly a free pass.

      7 votes
      1. ubergeek
        Link Parent
        It is for those not committed, and "still woked"...

        It is for those not committed, and "still woked"...

    2. [2]
      nic
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      The legal standard in America for the "insane defense" is high. Much higher than what you see on TV. The bar to be considered mentally competent to stand trial is extremely low. Mr Comello may not...

      It would give all conspiracy theorists a free pass to do whatever they want, knowing that they won't be convicted.

      The legal standard in America for the "insane defense" is high. Much higher than what you see on TV. The bar to be considered mentally competent to stand trial is extremely low.

      I also don't see why Mr Comello would agree to being labelled mentally ill on the basis that he believes the QAnon theory

      Mr Comello may not be aware of all the motions his attorney is filing. The attorney might simply be angling for a better plea deal, or Mr Comello may be in a jurisdiction where the client does not need to consent to a declaration of insanity.

      Comello seems to have delusions of grandeur far beyond simply believing in QAnon. Most QAnon followers hopefully do not believe they are under the personal protection of the president, and would not expect to successfully perform a citizens arrest on a mayor, or have the marshals arrest elected officials.

      Anthony Comello's family began to notice changes to his personality

      Because of his self-perceived status in QAnon, Mr. Comello became certain that he was enjoying the protection of President Trump himself, and that he had the president's full support

      Comello had a history of bizarre stunts, according to the filing. He attempted to arrest New York Mayor Bill de Blasio at his official residence, Gracie Mansion, but was thwarted by police. In another instance, Comello went to a federal district courthouse in Manhattan, believing that U.S. Reps. Maxine Waters and Adam Schiff were there. His lawyer said he planned to "arrest and detain" the two Democrats from California. He then went to a U.S. Marshals Service office nearby "but was unsuccessful in securing their assistance in his attempt to arrest both representatives."

      6 votes
      1. Algernon_Asimov
        Link Parent
        That may be. But the lawyer is still trying for that defence. It is still his intention to have his client found mentally defective. And that finding would set a precedent for similar cases -...

        The legal standard in America for the "insane defense" is high.

        That may be. But the lawyer is still trying for that defence. It is still his intention to have his client found mentally defective. And that finding would set a precedent for similar cases - which Mr Gottlieb has to know.

        Mr Comello may not be aware of all the motions his attorney is filing.

        Surely it'll come out during the trial, though. At some point, Mr Comello is going to be in a courtroom, next to his lawyer when he stands up and says "My client is mentally diseased."

        Comello seems to have delusions of grandeur far beyond simply believing in QAnon.

        That may be true. However, the line between "my client believes in QAnon" and "my client believes in QAnon to the point where someone believes they have the personal protection of the President" is a blurry one which canny lawyers are going to blur even further if it benefits those clients.

        2 votes