After the long weekend for the Presidents Day holiday, this Tuesday the jury resumes deliberations in the trial against Genaro Garcia Luna in NY.
On Friday, the 12 members of the jury they could not agree on the guilt or innocence of the former Mexican security secretary.
The jurors have asked Judge Brian Cogan, who is handling the case, for a dozen transcripts of some of the testimony that was heard in the Court for the Eastern District of Brooklyn since June 23. Among them, they requested the testimonies linked to the alleged kidnapping of García Luna at the hands of Arturo Beltrán Leyva, who, according to witnesses such as Sergio Villarreal, alias “El Grande” was furious because the official was protecting the Sinaloa cartel more than his clan and wanted to teach him a “lesson”.
Another witness, Harold Poveda, alias “El Conejo”, went further and said that Beltrán Leyva’s intention was actually to kill García Luna and “hand over his head” to the government so they could see what he was capable of.
read also Between requests for testimony and better food, this is how the trial against Genaro García Luna goes
The number of transcripts requested indicates that the jury will take time analyze the case of the highest-ranking Mexican official facing US justice.
The jury also complained about the poor quality of the food they are receiving in the room where they are deliberating, and Judge Cogan promised to “feed them properly.”
Some members of the jury during the trial against Genaro García Luna. Illustration: Jane Rosenberg – EFE
As has happened since the deliberations began, prosecutors, the defense, the family and the press have divided themselves between the courtroom and the courthouses, or around the court, awaiting the final verdict, which must be unanimous for each one. of the five charges against the defendant.
read also Genaro García Luna and his failed stint with the Águilas del América
What is Genaro García Luna accused of?
Four of the charges are directly related to the drug trafficking: participating in the direction of a criminal enterprise whose activity continues to this day, conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute and possess 5 kilograms or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute it in the United States and conspiracy to import the same amount or more.
He is also accused of lending false testimony to the US authorities when you applied for citizenship.
Regarding the first accusation, the members of the jury will have to decide, in case of convicting him, if García Luna in 2012 abandoned the conspiracy in which he participated, so he could be acquitted of this charge.
read also Genaro García Luna: what are the charges and what penalties would he face if found guilty?
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