El Chapo Is ‘Going Crazy In Jail’ Claims Lawyer

Eduardo Blarezo, the attorney of infamous Drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, says his client’s mental state has seen a “marked deterioration” due to the hard jail condition he is under. ‘El Chapo’ is allegedly suffering from hallucinations, depression and even memory loss.

“It is plain to the defense team that something is not right with Mr. Guzman,” said the devil’s advocate in a letter to a federal judge with the hopes that he will allow Guzman to go see a neuropsychologist that can examine him.

It is true that Guzman’s prison conditions are not ideal, he is currently being held in near isolation because he has already managed to escape Mexican maximum security prisons twice and the federal jail in Manhattan where Guzman is currently awaiting trial is not taking chances with the man who topped the ‘Most Wanted’ lists of the world.

Ever since his extradition to the U.S., which is the worst thing that could happen to a foreign drug lord, everybody involved in this case from both sides, has been fighting to settle the terms of his detention. Currently, Guzman is kept in a cell for 23 hours a day and the only visitors he is allowed to receive are those of legal counsel, besides lawyers, since his arrival to the Manhattan prison, he has been allowed one one-hour-long visit from his daughters and another hour-long visit with his sister whose visa has since been revoked.

“During the last month, Mr. Guzman has suffered a marked deterioration in his mental state,” read Balarezo’s letter. “This deterioration has manifested itself in his inability to remember people, places, and events. Specifically, he has complained about 1) auditory hallucinations; 2) the government ‘recording’ his cell and legal visits; 3) feeling persecuted, and 4) depression.” the lawyer has also claimed that Guzman’s cell is cold and always lit. “Counsel has noticed that Mr. Guzman has begun repeating himself often and sometimes forgetting what the discussion is about.”

The problem according to the attorney is that if the alleged mental deterioration continues, the man responsible for running the world’s largest drug-trafficking cartel could be found incompetent to stand trial for the many crimes he is accused of.

In the same letter, a psychologist claims that a contact visit is necessary to properly assess Guzman’s condition, she also said that the man’s hand cannot be shackled and that nobody but the interpreter and the patient can be inside the room while the exam takes place.

Federal prosecutors are still to respond to the defense’s request.

Article inspired by NBC // El Chapo’s Lawyer Warns Kingpin ‘Mental State’ Imperiled in Jail