In the days that followed, Murphy kept a close eye on the progress of the Hollywood Chinese Theatre shooting case through his contact Robert at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The Los Angeles police deployed a large force, conducting a thorough investigation centered on the Walk of Fame, but they didn't find many valuable leads. They traced some clues to a black neighborhood and confirmed that about ten minutes after the incident, a person with an unusually bulky figure on a motorcycle had been seen there.
However, the trail went cold. The police interviewed many people, but they only got a vague description of a stranger who seemed to have come from the direction where the motorcycle disappeared. They couldn't find the motorcycle or the gun.
On the other hand, through repeated comparisons of surveillance footage, the police confirmed that the motorcyclist had been following the man in the red baseball cap. They also conducted a detailed investigation into the red baseball cap's background and discovered he was a devout Catholic who had attacked Murphy at the Santa Monica Mall due to dissatisfaction with "Diego Ross." He had also spread numerous negative messages about Murphy online from a Catholic standpoint.
The Los Angeles police, not being foolish, speculated that it could be related to Murphy's fanatic fans. They investigated the group of Murphy's fans who had attacked the man on Santa Monica Beach but found nothing. These individuals had solid alibis, being at a gathering at Daisy's house, the leader of the IMDb Murphy Stanton discussion group.
Without the time to commit the crime, and given their clean records, the police shifted their focus to other fans of Murphy.
"It seems unrelated to the IMDb discussion group members..."
In the villa, Murphy discussed the latest developments with Gal Gadot. "I still remember Daisy. Although she hit the deceased man last time, it was because he attacked me first. The others should be clean too; Bill had checked their records, and they had no criminal background."
"Maybe that female fan is crazily in love with you," Gal Gadot joked to lighten the tense atmosphere. "Seeing that man attacking you online, she killed him."
Murphy shrugged. "The police got information from the black community that the gunman abandoned the motorcycle and seemed to be a bulky man."
Gal Gadot walked to the window, looking towards the estate gate. "Based on various reactions, the police haven't found any clear leads. The gunman is obviously a seasoned criminal who must have planned meticulously before the attack."
"I think..." Murphy joined Gal Gadot by the window, pointing to his forehead, "The gunman likely has mental issues!"
From there, they could vaguely see the media reporters gathered at the estate gate. Two days had passed since the incident, and the media had already exposed the magician's magic balls left at the scene and the message "I am the agent of chaos." Many believed it was connected to Murphy's fans, leading to the swarm of reporters.
However, until the police made an official statement, Murphy remained silent.
"You mean the gunman might have mental problems?" Gal Gadot asked, looking at Murphy.
Murphy couldn't be sure, but he speculated based on previous shooting cases. "Since the gunman left the magician's signature and the message, 'I am the agent of chaos,' he must have a special connection to the character, possibly even imitating the magician."
He sighed. "Movies can sometimes influence people."
John Hinckley was influenced by "Taxi Driver" to attempt to assassinate Ronald Reagan; the 1998 North Hollywood shootout saw robbers imitating "Heat"... There were many such examples, but Hollywood never acknowledged them.
So, even without speaking to the media, Murphy wouldn't admit that his movie was a trigger.
That would be asking for trouble.
As a Hollywood director, he had to be aware that Hollywood's freedom to film any subject was sacrosanct.
"If the gunman has mental problems..."
Murphy suddenly thought of something. "Even if the police catch him, what can they do? If he proves he's mentally ill..."
"Dear..." Gal Gadot interrupted, looking intently at Murphy. "Do you really think that?"
Murphy didn't understand why she was being so serious. He shrugged. "Aren't there such cases in North America?"
"It depends on the situation!"
Gal Gadot knew her fiancé could be lawless. Though no one had ever told her, she guessed that Murphy might have done some borderline illegal things, especially in his early career struggles.
Back then, he had trouble even getting by, so some tactics might have been necessary. Now, it was different.
Regarding cases like Diego Ross and this incident, Gal Gadot had her own thoughts, even if she didn't voice them.
She knew she needed to remind Murphy, for the sake of their family.
Gal Gadot thought for a moment. "If the target is a prominent figure, even if the perpetrator is mentally ill, they would suffer immensely."
"Um?" Murphy didn't get why she was bringing this up.
"Let's sit and talk." Gal Gadot led Murphy back to the sofa. "You mentioned mental issues. My mentor once told me about a case."
"What case?" Murphy asked cooperatively. "Can you tell me?"
"Of course!" Gal Gadot smiled. "The aftermath of John Hinckley's assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan."
Murphy was puzzled. "What happened afterward? I remember John Hinckley didn't go to prison and didn't seem to face any significant consequences."
Gal Gadot knew about the rumors online. "Do you think John Hinckley is happily living in a mental hospital arranged by his wealthy father?"
Murphy nodded. "Isn't that the case?"
Gal Gadot's expression turned serious. "The reality is completely different!"
"Tell me."
Murphy listened as Gal Gadot began, "After the shooting case went to court, John Hinckley's wealthy father hired a dream team of lawyers comparable to those in the later O.J. Simpson case. These lawyers exploited every legal loophole, and in 1982, the court ruled that John Hinckley was insane during the shooting of Reagan and thus not guilty."
Murphy nodded. "Yes, I know that part."
Gal Gadot continued, "In 1982, since Hinckley was found possibly mentally ill with extreme violent tendencies, he needed treatment. He was sent to the most terrifying mental hospital in America, St. Elizabeths, for treatment. Being a sudden-onset mental patient, he was confined there until his illness was cured. Unlike prison, he couldn't get out on parole. He wasn't allowed out of his room, and even his parents couldn't visit him!"
Murphy was surprised. This differed greatly from what he knew.
"This was far from what his father wanted. Lawyers had argued that his outburst was sudden and unprovoked. Scientifically proving he was cured and wouldn't relapse was nearly impossible."
Gal Gadot spoke calmly, recounting what she knew. "So, John Hinckley, only psychologically unhealthy with a slight violent tendency, was locked away for life! He never saw any family for 30 years!"
Seeing Murphy deep in thought, Gal Gadot continued, "In 1989, Hinckley tried to prove he was cured, saying he no longer obsessed over Jodie Foster. However, FBI agents found a postcard of Foster under his bed the day before his release, proving he wasn't cured, and he was sent back."
She smiled. "Both the mental hospital and the media believed Hinckley didn't have the mental illness described in court. But since the court ruled so, and the lawyers lied, they had to bear the responsibility."
Murphy understood Gal Gadot's point, listening as she continued, "In 2003, Hinckley applied for release due to illness. At 48, his father's efforts led the court to finally agree to release him in 2005. However, on his first day out, FBI agents took him back to St. Elizabeths, citing potential influences from fellow patients causing unknown mental illnesses."
Murphy shook his head. This contrasted sharply with the rumors.
"In 2011, Hinckley requested mercy due to physical illness. The federal court, citing unknown new illnesses, kept him confined."
Gal Gadot's intention was clear. "Today, nearly sixty, John Hinckley remains in St. Elizabeths. From what I know, he might truly be insane now!"
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