*GUILTY* EL Chapo - Drug Cartel Chief, arrested Trafficking/conspiracy/firearms

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  • #961
Thank you for the article quotes! :D
 
  • #962
El Chapo trial highlights how Mexico graft impedes drug war

Feb 3, 2019

"NEW YORK — In the same Brooklyn courthouse where jurors have heard testimony about Mexican politicians protecting Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s drug empire, a former Mexican state attorney general pleaded guilty last month to taking bribes from narcotraffickers.

The juxtaposition underscored a recurring theme of Guzman’s New York trial: how pervasive official corruption in Mexico complicates American authorities’ efforts to investigate and apprehend those involved in the drug trade.

Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Monday after 11 weeks of testimony that included a parade of Guzman’s former associates who told of massive bribes paid to high-level officials....

Mike Vigil, who was a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent for many years, said not even Mexico’s military or federal police will work with authorities at the state and municipal level due to their “cancerous” propensity for being on the take.

“They are squarely in the pockets of the drug cartels, to the point that they engage in the smuggling and transportation of drugs and the killing of cartel enemies,” Vigil told The Associated Press, referring to local police forces. “If you can’t work with them it, it makes it really hard to carry out some of the missions.”..."

El Chapo trial highlights how Mexico graft impedes drug war
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Listen: Last-Minute Allegations Lodged Against 'El Chapo' As Case Goes To Jury

February 3, 2019

"With jury deliberations about to begin in the trial of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, New York Times reporter Alan Feuer tells NPR's Michel Martin about shocking new allegations unsealed Friday."

Last-Minute Allegations Lodged Against 'El Chapo' As Case Goes To Jury
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  • #963
El Chapo’s wife has been staying at this ritzy Brooklyn hotel

February 3, 2019

"Since her baby left her (for federal custody), she’s found a new place to dwell …

Workers and guests at a Downtown Brooklyn boutique hotel were shocked to learn that Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s wife has been staying at the lodging while her drug lord hubby’s on trial nearby.

“I cannot believe this,” said Milton Perez, 45, a reporter from Ecuadoran TV network Teleamazonas, who’s been staying at The Tillary Hotel while covering Guzman’s trial.

“I am worried. The cartels have a lot of money, a lot of resources.”...

One staffer said the hotel didn’t give them a heads up that the spouse of a notorious cocaine trafficker was staying there — but they were “happier not knowing.”

Another worker was surprised she’d been openly snapping pictures on the building’s terrace.

“She needs to go back in her room and stop taking pictures! My god!” he said after seeing the Instagram snap.

“I hope they don”t come for her while I’m working.”"

https://nypost.com/2019/02/03/el-chapos-wife-has-been-staying-at-this-ritzy-brooklyn-hotel/
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  • #964
Monday, February 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 39)-Jury Deliberations (@ 9am ET) - NY – *Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera (El Chapo) (~61) arrested & charged with smuggled 155 tons of cocaine into U.S. Sinaloa drug cartel chief. Guzmán faces 17-count indictment charging him with drug trafficking, murder conspiracy & money laundering spanning nearly three decades. Plead not guilty to all charges. No bail.
Prosecutors say Guzmán ran Mexico's Sinaloa cartel from 1989 to 2014. In that time, they allege the cartel brought cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine & marijuana into the U.S. Prosecutors also charged Guzmán in connection with the assassinations of thousands of competitors. Plead not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
Trial expected to last several months. Also for trafficking, conspiracy & firearms in California, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Florida & New York.

Skipping over Day 1 thru 34.
1/28/19 Day 35: Gov’t witnesses: Isaias Valdez Rios aka Memín. James Bradley, a DOD analyst. Brendan Hanratty, a Drug Enforcement Admin special agent. Gov't rests. Defense asked Judge Cogan to direct an acquittal of Guzmán. The judge denied the motion. Chapo is NOT testifying at the trial. 2 witnesses will testify for the defense, likely completing testimony tomorrow am 1/29. Wednesday: Gov’t summations. Thursday: Defense summations. The jury could start deliberating on Friday.
1/29/19 Day 36: Defense witness: FBI agent Paul F. Roberts, Jr. Defense rests. Wed. 1/30 Gov’t closing arguments.
1/30/19 Day 37: Government's closing arguments. Defense will go tomorrow (1/31), then the government gets a rebuttal, & then it's in the hands of the jury.
1/31/19 Day 38: Defense closing arguments. Government rebuttal. Judge Cogan announced this morning that the jury will *not* sit tomorrow. Deliberations now set to begin on Monday, 2/4. Having heard hearing testimony from 57 witnesses – 56 called by prosecutors, one by Guzmán's defense team – jurors on Monday will receive instructions on the law from U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan. Prosecutors have asked the judge to add instructions following the confrontational closing statement by defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman on Thursday. After instructions, the jury of seven women and five men will begin deliberations.
 
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  • #965
Molly Crane-Newman‏Verified account @molcranenewman 7h7 hours ago
Take it from me, there’s no better place to turn 28 than outside Brooklyn federal court at 2 o’clock in the morning w/ these gems.

DAY 39 of the #ElChapo trial.

(Video clip: Molly Crane-Newman on Twitter )

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Molly...



Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 6h6 hours ago
The convoy preparing for Chapo’s early Monday a.m. court arrival. Day 39. The jury will begin deliberations later today.

(video clip: Emily Palmer on Twitter )


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 6h6 hours ago
Alan Feuer Retweeted Emily Palmer

It’s been a pleasure covering the leviathan trial if El Chapo w/@emilyepalmer. Here’s a cheat sheet of the trial’s top revelations as the jury heads into deliberations today.

---Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer
We’re nearing the end of Chapo’s trial. Jury begins deliberations Monday. What we’ve learned, right here. W/ @alanfeuer
8:38 PM - 3 Feb 2019

El Chapo Trial: The 11 Biggest Revelations From the Case

Feb. 3, 2019

"After a lengthy 11-week trial, a jury on Monday will begin deliberating the case of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the Mexican drug kingpin known as El Chapo. Mr. Guzmán faces 10 charges, including leading a criminal enterprise and the importation and sales of large amounts of narcotics into the United States. If convicted, he faces life in prison.

The trial has allowed prosecutors to extensively detail the inner workings of Mr. Guzmán’s Sinaloa cartel, providing unparalleled insight into international drug trafficking. Here are 11 of the most important takeaways, in no particular order...."

El Chapo Trial: The 11 Biggest Revelations From the Case
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  • #966
Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 5h5 hours ago
Hello from Day 39 of El Chapo’s trial.

Here’s his security convoy crossing the Brooklyn Bridge and bringing him to the courthouse.

The jury will begin deliberations this morning.

(video clip: Keegan Hamilton on Twitter )


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 5h5 hours ago
El Chapo arrives at the courthouse for what will likely be his last week of freedom.

(video clip: Alan Feuer on Twitter )


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 5h5 hours ago
A few minutes before Chapo’s arrival at the courthouse, police helicopter hovering above the East River. Cops and journalists waiting…

(video clip: Keegan Hamilton on Twitter )


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 5h5 hours ago
Chapo just arrived to court shortly after 6 am today, here he is entering the premises in the armored car.

(video clip: Emily Palmer on Twitter )


Molly Crane-Newman‏Verified account @molcranenewman 5h5 hours ago
He’s arrived


(video clip: Molly Crane-Newman on Twitter )


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 5h5 hours ago
People arrived as early as 9pm last night and slept on the sidewalk to get a seat in the courtroom for the verdict. That’s @emilyepalmer inside the blue sleeping bag.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 5h5 hours ago
More security outside the courthouse. Those are Homeland Security agents with a van full of bomb detection gadgets.

(video clip: Keegan Hamilton on Twitter )
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  • #967
Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 4h4 hours ago
TV media clustered outside the courthouse. No cameras are allowed inside so all the live shots and stand-ups are done here.

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Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 4h4 hours ago
Just want to add: Chapo’s obviously not free now. It’s early, sorry... Better said: his last week before he likely confronts a life sentence in a US federal prison.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 4h4 hours ago
Last week @tagesschau interviewed me about our time inside the courtroom, covering Chapo's trial.

Take a listen.

"El Chapo"-Prozess: Folter, Tunnel, quadratische Unterhosen
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  • #968
Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 4h4 hours ago
Keegan Hamilton Retweeted Keegan Hamilton

ICYMI: Court documents unsealed over the weekend included the shocking claim from a witness that El Chapo drugged and raped girls as young as 13.

---Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton
#BREAKING @vicenews: Newly unsealed court documents say Chapo had sex "on multiple occasions, with girls as young as thirteen years old."
7:39 AM - 2 Feb 2019

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5720132-El-Chapo-s-alleged-Sexual-Activities-With.html …


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 4h4 hours ago
The jury did not hear about the child rape allegations against Chapo during the trial. But it could be an issue today before deliberations begin. Defense likely to ask Judge Cogan to speak with jurors about whether they saw any media coverage about the case over the weekend.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 4h4 hours ago
Keegan Hamilton Retweeted sceptic183

We could get a verdict as soon as this afternoon, but the charges in Chapo's case are complicated so I won't be surprised if it stretches into tomorrow.

---sceptic183‏ @sceptic183
Replying to @keegan_hamilton
How long do you think the jury will take Keegan?
3:15 AM - 4 Feb 2019



Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 4h4 hours ago
Here's an excerpt from the verdict sheet. The indictment is 10 counts and one of those counts has 27 separate violations. The jurors will have to go through each of these individually to decide whether the evidence proves Chapo is guilty.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5700232-El-Chapo-proposed-verdict-sheet-proposed-jury.html …

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Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 4h4 hours ago
Programming note: Reporters in the courtroom for the verdict will be a few minutes behind the breaking news, since we have to stay and wait for the jury to be dismissed. Press in the overflow room can run out. Follow @vicenews to stay updated. I'll post more verdict details ASAP.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Heading up to the courtroom now, stay tuned for updates. First step today is for Judge Cogan to read instructions to the jury. This could take several hours.
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  • #969
I shall say they have a verdict by Wednesday, after lunch....
 
  • #970
Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Chaotic moment in the courthouse: Two guys who arrived late this morning cut the line, moving in front of people who arrived as early as 2am to get into the courtroom. A shouting match erupted. One of the guys reportedly shoved a journalist, though I didn't see that myself.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Court security officers were very aggressive, yelling at people in line to quiet down. They weren't concerned about the guys cutting, just the unruliness. Journalists banded together to box out the cutters, but they still made it into the courtroom. They got booed as entered.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Hearing that the defense will ask Judge Cogan to poll the jury before deliberations begin about whether anyone saw news coverage about Chapo allegedly drugging and raping young girls. Could potentially lead to jurors being dismissed. There are six alternates available.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Proceeding began with a lengthy sidebar convo. It was an animated discussion between Judge Cogan, prosecutor Gina Parlovecchio, and Jeffrey Lichtman. Afterward, Cogan said the transcript would be sealed "to protect the integrity of the deliberations of the jury."


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Chapo came out today wearing a black suit, gray shirt, and black time. He was all smiles. Give a big back-slapping hug to each member of his defense team.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Judge Cogan just announced a plan to speak privately with the jurors as a group about an unspecified issue. It's clear this is about the child rape allegations against Chapo. Cogan said the defense wanted him to ask the jurors one by one about it, but he saw no reason to do so.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Cogan said there "has to be some indication that one or more of them were exposed to the questionable material and we have nothing" that shows they were. He said he plans to "look each one in the face and get an answer."


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Judge Cogan's convo w/ the jury is happening right now, we should know shortly whether or not this will be an issue that affects deliberations. If multiple jurors are tainted, it could potentially be grounds for a mistrial.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 1h1 hour ago
The judge is now speaking to the jurors as a group to see if any were "exposed to the questionable material." If one or more says yes he plans to speak w/them individually w/lawyers from each side should they too want to ask about whether their impartiality was affected.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 1h1 hour ago
Cogan just said two jurors acknowledged seeing press coverage over the weekend. One said it was about deliberations starting today, the other "took a quick glance at something." He's now questioning each juror in private with one attorney each from the defense and prosecution.



Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 1h1 hour ago
Oddly the stuff about Chapo's rape of younggirls was unsealed by the judge's own order Friday so it's unclear why he's decided to seal further discussion of the charges. He noted that the jurors have been "fastidious" so far in avoiding media coverage but just wanted to be sure.

Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 1h1 hour ago
The documents w/ the child rape allegations against Chapo were unsealed Saturday following a request by @vicenews and @nytimes. Judge Cogan issued an order saying the materials would be unsealed 4 days after the defense rested. Somehow, nobody realized how explosive it would be.

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Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 1h1 hour ago
Just got word that the jury is now seated in the courtroom. Nobody dismissed. Cogan now reading the charging instructions. Will still be awhile before deliberations begin.…


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 1h1 hour ago
Judge Cogan said he would do "a thorough exam" w/ the jurors, but his private convos lasted maybe 10 minutes. Apparently he felt confident that none of them saw the news over the weekend.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 1h1 hour ago
Bullet dodged. The judge is now charging the jury with his instructions. This could take as long as two hours. After that, the jury will formally begin its deliberations.
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  • #971
Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 10m10 minutes ago
Jury instructions were delayed this am while the judge spoke with 2 jurors about their "quick glance at something" in media. Details were sealed, but look at any headline and that "quick glance" likely regards accusations that Chapo raped young girls:


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 7m7 minutes ago
The judge began jury instructions at 10:18 a.m. EST, assuring the jury: "I have no dog in this fight" and pressing the point that "a criminal defendant is never required to prove that he's innocent." (Chapo didn't testify, and his 30-minute defense has been criticized.)


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 5m5 minutes ago
The judge instructed the jury to disregard what they "saw or heard in Spanish and accept the English translation." Transcripts should be considered "just like any other evidence in the case." The judge has dismissed repeated concerns of inaccurate translations by Chapo's defense.
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  • #972
Amanda Ottaway‏ @amandaottaway 2h2 hours ago
The jury has officially begun deliberations in the trial of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán in Brooklyn, NY. Now, we all wait for their verdict.............

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Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
The charges the jury will consider are pretty complex. 10 counts are named in the indictment. The top count accuses Chapo of being a leader of a continuing criminal enterprise. It has 27 separate sub-violations, mostly big drug deals plus a murder conspiracy.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
The jury has to find him guilty of 3 of those violations, decide he committed them in concert with at least 5 other people, was a (not necessarily THE) supervisor of the enterprise and earned substantial income from it.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Somewhat confusingly, 4 of the violations in Count 1 are named again as separate counts in the remaining 9 of the indictment. Those remaining 9 include drug importation, drug distribution and drug trafficking charges; a weapons charge; a money laundering charge.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Complicating matters further: The weapons charge is dependent on the drug charges (because the gun charge accuses Chapo of using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.) If the jury doesn't find him guilty of any drug charges, they can't consider the weapons charge.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Moreover, Count One (the criminal enterprise charge) has 3 special questions: Did any of the drug-related subviolations involve at least 150 kgs of coke? Did the enterprise earn $10 million + in a 12 month period? Was Chapo a principal leader?
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  • #973
Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 2h2 hours ago
The jury in the El Chapo trial officially got the case for deliberations at 1:05 p.m. US attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, made a surprise appearance in the courtroom to wish the prosecution team good luck.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
El Chapo verdict watch is officially underway: The jury started deliberations at 1:02 pm ET.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
And the Chapo jury has just begun deliberations, released at 1:02 p.m. to chat over the 10 charges over lunch. Afterward, Attorney General @MattWhitaker46 strolled into the courtroom, shaking hands with each of the prosecuting attorneys.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
Here's what you should know while the jury deliberates the charges against Chapo: 1. There are 10 counts against him, ranging from calling him the leader of a criminal enterprise (Sinaloa cartel) to conspiracy to launder money (with a lot of drug charges in between). (vvBelowvv)


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
2. There are 27 violations packed in the first count alone. (That's the one calling Chapo the leader of a criminal enterprise.) All of them are felony acts. 26 of those are narcotics violations, the other is conspiracy to murder (with a LONG list of names).


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
3. The jury must find that Chapo is guilty of just three of those 27 violations in order to find him guilty of running a criminal enterprise. However, in order to do that, the jury must unanimously agree that he is guilty of the each of the violations selected.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
A little court color from the afternoon: Chapo, who had been attentively turned to his interpreter, switched his gaze to the jury the judge instructed them to stay true to their own convictions in selecting Guilty and Not Guilty Verdicts. vv


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
Chapo's attorneys were solemn, @balarezolaw covered his mouth with his hand, @NYCDefenseLaw appeared to consult notes. Prosecutors faced their laptops. Jury members took frequent sips of what appeared to be coffee, as the judge read instructions, swinging his chair side to side.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
4. Remember, to be guilty of conspiring to kill doesn't mean you actually kill the person. The jury could believe no one actually died and still find Chapo guilty of conspiracy to murder, the 27th violation stuffed into that first of ten charges against him.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 2h2 hours ago
5. Chapo is accused of conspiring to kill (among others): informants (generally), BLOs, Los Zetas, los Arellano Felixes at Christine's discotheque, Christian Rodriguez (Chapo's IT guy), Andrea Fernandez Velez (Alex Cifuentes's Moneypenny) and Barbarino (a trusted sicario).


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
How important is this case for the Department of Justice? Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker was in the courtroom shaking hands with members of the prosecution after the jurors were escorted out to begin deliberations.
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  • #974
Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 1h1 hour ago
The judge told the jury that they would send in "almost all the evidence into the jury room with you," adding: "there's obviously some things we can't." Let try bricks of cocaine and AK47s for start.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Cogan announced that all the exhibits would be sent back into the jury room for them to review during deliberations — with a few exceptions. "There's obviously some things we can't," he said, likely referring to a AK-47s and kilos of cocaine.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
About sending the evidence back to the jury, Judge Cogan told the lawyers "there's a funny story about that I'll tell you off the record." The parties huddled off to the side, and Cogan could be overheard saying about a previous case, "the jurors were sitting on the marijuana."

Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 2h2 hours ago
Per @EDNYnews spokesman: "Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, accompanied by United States Attorney Richard Donoghue, visited the courtroom after the jury departed for lunch and the Acting AG went to the government’s table where he wished the prosecution team good luck."


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 1h1 hour ago
The six alternate jurors have remained on stand-by, secluded in a separate room with unspecified entertainment. "That doesn't mean we're done with you by any means," the judge said, adding: "So we're going to keep you in the family for now."


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 1h1 hour ago
After dismissing the jury, the judge recalled that he once sent all the evidence into a room of jurors - even the drugs. Rooky mistake. He found "the jurors sitting on the marijuana." Magnifying this to Chapo-proportions, @keegan_hamilton immediately imagined a bench of cocaine.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 1h1 hour ago
I should add that this little anecdote may have produced the singular time over the course of the three-month trial that every attorney on both sides laughed aloud at the same joke. @NYCDefenseLaw shook with laughter.


Emily Palmer‏Verified account @emilyepalmer 1h1 hour ago
Chapo's wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, who has attended almost every day, was not in attendance earlier today, although Chapo looked. She arrived later in the afternoon --- following the rather tedious instructions and will be in her place in the second row to await the verdict.
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  • #975
Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 37m37 minutes ago
Three notes from the Chapo jury already. The first: "Is a 'drug war' considered part of a drug trafficking crime? (With specific reference to the weapons charge.")


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 38m38 minutes ago
We just had several notes from the jury. The first — and most intriguing — asked: "Is a 'drug war' considered part of a drug trafficking crime (with specific reference to the weapons charge)?"

Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 38m38 minutes ago
This question references count nine of Chapo's indictment, which has to do with use of weapons in a drug trafficking offense. Jury asking if drug wars — against Los Zetas and other cartels — referenced elsewhere in the indictment could be used to convict Chapo on this count.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 35m35 minutes ago
To convict on the weapons charge (in furtherance of drug trafficking), the jury must 1st convict on 1 of the drug charges. They're asking if Chapo's role in drug wars could be a drug charge.


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 34m34 minutes ago
Two options here: The weapons charge in the 9th of 10 counts. They're either working from simplest to most complicated charges (there was TONS of evidence that Chapo carried guns.) Or, they've already blown through counts 1-8 and are already on 9.

Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 33m33 minutes ago
Judge Cogan decided to tell the jury "you may, if you choose, consider evidence of the drug war," but first the jury must decide that Chapo is guilty of the first four counts in his indictment. Here's the indictment for reference on what those counts are:

DgN33xc-


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 33m33 minutes ago
The question led to something of a philosophical debate, with Chapo's lawyer @NYCDefenseLaw arguing, "I wouldn't want to presume what their understanding and definition of the drug war is." Another point was that the jury asked about "a drug war" not "the drug war."


Alan Feuer‏ @alanfeuer 33m33 minutes ago
Other two notes less interesting. 2nd: The jurors wanted their own individual verdict sheets. 3rd: They asked when they could get the evidence photos. And asked, "Is ephedrine considered as methamphetamine?"


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 31m31 minutes ago
Jurors also asked to get the evidence in the jury room, for more copies of the verdict sheet, and another interesting question: "Is ephedrine considered methamphetamine?"


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 31m31 minutes ago
Chapo's lawyer argued no, "Coca leaves is not cocaine, ephedrine is not meth." Prosecutors argued yes, noting that one charge is conspiracy to manufacture meth, which can use ephedrine as a precursor. Judge decided to just tell the jury to refer to the evidence and testimony.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 29m29 minutes ago
We heard several bits of testimony related to ephedrine, specifically in regard to efforts by Chapo to procure the chemical. The Cifuentes family was said to be one of his ephedrine suppliers. We also heard it was often shipped to Mexico through Belize.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 28m28 minutes ago
The first note came in at 1:58 pm ET. Jury had questions answered by the judge and returned to deliberations at 2:45 pm.

We now know that the foreperson is Juror 11, a younger Hispanic woman. All juror, in case you haven't been following, are anonymous for safety reasons.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 28m28 minutes ago
Unclear whether this means the jury is blowing through the verdict sheet and already deciding on count 9 of 10, or whether they're skipping around and still early in the process of reaching a verdict.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 28m28 minutes ago
Heading back up to the courtroom now, stay tuned for more updates…
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  • #976
I shall say they have a verdict by Wednesday, after lunch....

I was hoping for one today, but with all the charges the jurors have to go thru.....???
 
  • #977
  • #978
Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 1h1 hour ago
Just because the jury didn't reach a verdict today it doesn't necessarily mean they are considering an acquittal. This was a complicated case. Even if they didn't consider any evidence and said guilty across the board, just filling out the verdict sheet would take a couple hours.


Keegan Hamilton‏Verified account @keegan_hamilton 1h1 hour ago
Keegan Hamilton Retweeted Brian Commeans

Chapo still faces indictments in six other federal jurisdictions. If by some miracle he is acquitted in Brooklyn, his next trial would probably be in either El Paso or San Diego.

---@briancommeans
Replying to @keegan_hamilton @vicenews
Would the Gov't allow him to immediately walk if a not guilty verdict was returned?
1:43 PM - 4 Feb 2019
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  • #979
El Chapo jurors quizzed about news exposure in wake of child sex report

February 4, 2019

"Jurors seated on the case of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman were questioned one last time Monday about their possible exposure to news media, just days after newly unsealed filings accused the kingpin of drugging and raping young women.

“I have thoroughly questioned the jury,” Brooklyn federal Judge Brian Cogan told the court after a bench conference with attorneys from both sides, which he promptly sealed.

“Two jurors said they had seen something quickly,” Cogan announced, before saying he would question the two panelists privately about what they’d seen.

Cogan said nothing about the individual conversations after returning to the courtroom, and immediately asked that the jurors be brought in. The full panel entered around 10:20 a.m., when the judge began to instruct them on the law...."

https://nypost.com/2019/02/04/el-ch...ut-news-exposure-in-wake-of-child-sex-report/
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El Chapo jury begins deliberations after 56 witnesses, 200 hours of testimony (with clip)

February 4, 2019

"New York (CNN)Jurors began deliberating Monday afternoon in the case of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, the beginning of the end to a case that featured 56 witnesses and 200 hours of testimony.

For two and half months, an anonymous and partially sequestered jury of seven women and five men in Brooklyn federal court sat through a case that could be described as "International Drug Trafficking 101."

They heard testimony about unspeakable tortures and ghastly murders, epic corruption at nearly every level of Mexico's government, narco-mistresses and naked subterranean escapes, gold-plated AK-47s and monogrammed diamond-encrusted pistols....

"This trial gave the American public tremendous insight into how these powerful drug trafficking cartels operate," said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration...."

El Chapo trial: Jury deliberations begin in case against the near-mythical Mexican drug lord - CNN
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  • #980
The Latest: Jury begins deliberating in El Chapo drug trial

Feb 4, 2019

"NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. trial of the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo (all times local):

1:40 p.m.

The jury at the U.S. trial of the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo has begun deliberations.

Jurors began deciding the federal drug-trafficking case against Joaquin Guzman on Monday afternoon.

The jury has heard testimony lasting nearly three months about Guzman's rise to power as the head of the Sinaloa cartel.

Prosecutors say he is responsible for smuggling at least 200 tons of cocaine into the United States and using violence to protect his turf.

The defense claims his role has been exaggerated by cooperators who are seeking leniency in their own cases.

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker paid a visit to the courtroom on Monday to thank the trial team.
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10:45 a.m...."

The Latest: Jury ends day without verdict at El Chapo trial
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El Chapo jurors ask questions about drug war during deliberations

February 4, 2019

"Jurors in the Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman trial have sent several queries to the judge after less than two hours of deliberations Monday — asking for clarification on a firearms charge and the difference between the drugs methamphetamine and ephedrine.

Their first question related to charges that Guzman used and carried firearms to further his “drug trafficking crimes.”

“Is a ‘drug war’ considered part of a drug trafficking crime?” the jurors asked.

Brooklyn federal Judge Brian Cogan responded by noting that the firearms charge, the ninth count against Guzman, can only be considered if they first find him guilty of the first four counts — which include engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and various allegations of drug manufacturing, importing and distribution.

“In determining if the defendant is guilty of counts one, two, three and four, you may, if you choose, consider the evidence of the drug war,” Cogan responded.

The panel of eight women and four men then asked if the drug ephedrine — which can be used to make methamphetamine — is “considered meth.”..."

https://nypost.com/2019/02/04/el-ch...ns-about-drug-war-right-before-deliberations/
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