As you probably know, Luigi Mangione, the man suspected of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is charged with multiple murder charges, including murder as an act of terrorism, use of a firearm to commit murder, and stalking.

Well, Mangione pleaded “not guilty” to the charges today.

What’s more, one of his lawyers, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, used the court appearance to express concern about Mangione’s “right to a fair trial”: “Like any other defendant, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”

“His rights are being violated,” Friedman Agnifilo continued, as she pointed to Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania to New York last week, where he arrived by helicopter…

…and was accompanied by officers and law enforcement agencies.

Many of them carried huge weapons.

And even New York Mayor Eric Adams took part in the spectacle.

“He was there for everyone to see before Mangione’s trial in the largest staged tour of perpetrators I have ever seen in my career.

CNN/ Twitter: @JPHillllllll Then came the line that’s now going viral: “And frankly, your honor, the mayor should know more than anyone about the presumption of innocence that he too is entitled to.” – Read Abolish Rent (@JPHillllllll) December 23, 2024
Luigi’s lawyer expressly points out that Eric Adams was present when the crime was committed. Incredible stuff. pic.twitter.com/01hIYairJ5

Yes, Mangione’s attorney has criticized Mayor Adams’ appearance at the perpetrator’s committal, as he himself is currently facing bribery and fraud charges following a federal corruption investigation.

CNN / Twitter: @Rockford_Guy Friedman Agnifilo’s concerns resonated largely online. “It’s crazy to see a perpetrator being bypassed by a man embroiled in multiple corruption controversies,” one X user wrote. — Rockford Moon (@Rockford_Guy) December 23, 2024
It’s crazy when a perpetrator is bypassed by a man who is under multiple corruption controversies https://t.co/kWyDyNVJ9g

CNN / Twitter: @_WorldWarWayne_ “Eric Adams joining Mangione’s crime march while he himself remains under federal indictment for bribery and campaign finance fraud is one of the greatest political performances we’ve seen so far this century,” another person added. – WI (@_WorldWarWayne_) December 23, 2024
Eric Adams joining Mangione’s criminal march while he himself remains under federal indictment for bribery and campaign finance fraud is one of the greatest political performances we have seen so far this century. https://t.co/XknUB77S7o

CNN / Twitter: @R3N1GADE Others applauded Friedman Agnifilo for calling it like she sees it… – ren. (@R3N1GADE) December 23, 2024
“And frankly, Your Honor, the mayor should know better than anyone about the presumption of innocence that he too is entitled to when dealing with his own… problems.” GAG WITH FRAUD https://t.co/2WimfkXYts

CNN / Twitter: @DJZeeti …as many certainly felt he was not just out of place… – Zeeti (@DJZeeti) December 23, 2024
She said Mayor Adams has a strange case about why he’s around https://t.co/jFW35ibV5W

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CNN / Twitter: @WaqarVick Regardless, the idea that the highly publicized and visited perpetrator tour has the potential to change public opinion in the run-up to the trial is widely circulated online. “Luigi’s lawyer is absolutely right that she is discriminating against her client before and during a trial,” one person concluded. — Waqar Vick Rehman (@WaqarVick) December 23, 2024
Of the many problematic aspects of the gang, the most problematic was the complacent inclusion of Eric Adams. And Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Luigi’s attorney, is absolutely right that this puts her client at a disadvantage before and during a trial. https://t.co/paJphOZk9E

But what do you think about Adams’ appearance as the perpetrator and how it could affect the rest of the trial? Let us know in the comments.