HN isn't limited to tech. Plenty of people, tech-oriented or otherwise, find high-profile criminals fascinating.
Well, he came from the computer industry, and like him or not he was a colorful character. I thought he was pretty amusing until he (apparently) decided to deal with a problem neighbor by having him killed. He does exemplify some of the old 'wild west' internet spirit, in ways.
So why is HN (a technology forum) discussing him then? So he didn't contribute anything to technology?