[H]is whereabouts and actions in the months leading up to Mr. Thompson’s murder have largely remained a mystery. Some family and friends have said they were unable to reach him starting shortly after he returned from his backpacking trip to Asia, a trip that now appears to have been pivotal for him. […] Interviews with fellow travelers and local residents, along with a review of Mr. Mangione’s writings and communications, suggest a shift from seeking human connection and community to isolating himself, and becoming increasingly preoccupied with how to make a statement about injustice.
Let me take the opportunity to ask, because I’m out of the loop:
How sure are we that he actually did it?
Article has quotes from his journal that are particularly damning
Could obviously still be framed, assuming the will to frame him. I think it’s unlikely though.
no chain of police evidence for the journal like a whole hour, fake evidence
So it has, thanks for pointing it out. My first skim of the article was cut short for all the pretty pictures of Japan; I thought that’s all it’s about.
I remember the wanted photos, and when they caught him he didn’t look what the wanted photos showed.
two different people
even if so, the resemblance is clear
If you’ve ever been to NY or Jersey you’d realize this is like 15% of the people you pass in the street. Strong chin, olive skin, good health, dark hair, Italian background. Guy looks like half the people in any gym in Brooklyn.
Eye brows are different between the two images. Could just be grooming. Shoulders appear to be different widths, but that could just be a jacket.
But the point is, both look like a young health Italian guy from NY. The differences between the images are more than enough to cast doubt. While there is a resemblance, it’s not even close enough to consider guilt due to all the discrepancies that appear when you look closer. The suspect could legitamately be a different person.
Sexwork aside, (not my thing) that sounds like a really nice vacation actually.
Every year for decades I take me time to unplug and get away from the grind. No digital devices, no cell service are major pluses.
You can go on a vacation there without doing any sex work.
Can you vacation there without trying to pay a Yakuza pimp in Pokemon cards?
No. That’s mandatory.
Ya gotta do it, them’s the rules. You could trade for something innocuos like a bottle of water but the trade must happen.
If you did a little sex work you could get your whole vacation paid for. Just find someone with kind eyes and deep pockets
In pre-modern Japan, lore has it, ninja assassins disguised themselves as Shugendo practitioners to evade the shogun’s restrictions — and there is still a belief that approaching the mountain in search of spiritual direction without proper training can make a person susceptible to manipulation by dark forces.
