Since we're in a conspiratorial mood: assuming this apolitical mental defective was in reality a clever and sane actor, what was the motivation?

Sacrificing a non-vital politico and random civilians will garner sympathy for an ailing political party which just suffered major defeats.

Even with drive-by media complicity, this twisted version of events didn't take with a majority of the public, who sees only a lone, ill weirdo whose life is now over, whether he knows it or not.

Meanwhile, Righties in the House were provided an opportunity to shine and took it; new legislation was only delayed, not stopped.

As a conspiracy benefiting the left, this thing was and is a total flop.