Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán’s trial is supposed to take place on April 16th, 2018, but the drug lord’s lawyers are trying to postpone the proceedings for at least four months. The attorneys claim they haven’t been paid and don’t have enough time to review the evidence.
The lawyers say that Guzman doesn’t want to delay the process since he’s under extremely restrictive conditions. Guzman’s lawyers claim the prison conditions are too severe.
The lead defense lawyer, Eduardo Balarezo, said they need more time to review the overwhelming amount of evidence. “Due to Mr. Guzmán’s conditions of confinement and his inability to speak with specific family members to request that counsel’s fees get paid, the defense is insufficiently funded at this time to be properly prepared for a trial less than four months away,” he said.
Another point of contention between the lawyers and federal prosecutors has been the hard lockdown at El Chapo’s jail. Balarezo got denied “Contact visits” due to security reasons.
They’re only allowed to meet on opposite sides of a particular room divided by a wall and plexiglass window. El Chapo can view documents on a laptop provided by the government.
The laptop’s low-resolution screen and El Chapo’s lack of technological skills make it “almost impossible” to review the evidence that includes thousands of documents and recordings. “He is not familiar with computers. It takes an inordinate amount of time to do anything,” Balarezo said.
While El Chapo is allegedly a billionaire, he was initially represented by public defenders before Balarezo took over the case. It was unclear whether the government would attempt to seize any payments made to a private attorney.
Prosecutors want to confiscate $14 billion in supposed drug money he earned during his drug lord career. In November, Balarezo complained to the court that Guzman’s mental state is getting worse. He is suffering hallucinations and memory loss, so a psychological examination got approved.
Meanwhile, the government has not responded to the request for a trial delay.
This article was inspired by Vice News // El Chapo’s lawyers say they are “insufficiently funded”