Authorities say she echoed words connected to the murder when she allegedly said "delay, deny, depose, you people are next".

Summary

Briana Boston, 42, was charged with threatening a health insurance company after repeating words linked to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

During a recorded call with Blue Cross Blue Shield about a denied claim, Boston said, “Delay, deny, depose, you people are next,” echoing phrases engraved on bullet casings at Thompson’s murder scene.

Authorities allege she exploited the CEO’s homicide to make the threat.

Boston, a mother of three with no prior criminal record, was arrested and held on $100,000 bail amidst warnings of potential copycat incidents targeting healthcare executives.

  • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    8 days ago

    there’s a big distinction between the two, in that warnings generally involve actions that are legal (like defending yourself, or cops arresting people, etc), vs threats that are actions which illegal (“give me your wallet or I"ll kill you”.)

    Also, generally speaking, warnings frequently include things that are natural or legal consequences for your actions. “If you continue to harass X, you’ll be arrested”, is a warning, “if you don’t put down the gun, I will shoot” is a warning. “If you swim during a riptide, you’ll be pulled out to sea” is a warning. “Approve my claim or i’ll kill you” is not a warning. it’s a threat.

    • candybrie@lemmy.world
      5·
      8 days ago

      “Approve my claim or i’ll kill you” is not a warning. it’s a threat.

      Yep that would be a threat. That’s not what she said though. She never said she’d do anything. She was just pointing out that someone was recently killed for the behavior they’re exhibiting, so if they’re going to keep doing that behavior, it stands to reason the same thing will happen to them.

      • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
        12·
        8 days ago

        Again. It’s not what she said. It’s what she communicated.

        She communicated a threat.

        Same as if, for example, somebody walks up on you and says “get in the car.” While patting a gun in their waistband.

        The guy never said he’d shoot you, but you understand that he will.

        Similarly she referenced a killing and said that they’re next. The implicit understanding is that she would do it. That’s what she communicated. A threat.

        • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          2·
          8 days ago

          Again. It’s not what she said. It’s what she communicated.

          No, it’s not, you’re being very weird putting words in someone’s mouth

          Same as if, for example, somebody walks up on you and says “get in the car.” While patting a gun in their waistband.

          Oh, she had a gun now?

          Similarly she referenced a killing and said that they’re next

          After they denied her claim, referencing a recent cultural event

          The implicit understanding is that she would do it

          Only to a complete idiot. Like you, apparently