evidence and witnesses
The amount of documents and other evidence collected by the US authorities is what has partly lengthened the pre-trial process, to give lawyers time to review these materials and prepare their defense.
Among the arguments that García Luna is expected to use is, according to what was announced in court documents, the fact that during his tenure he was recognized by the United States for the fight against drug trafficking and held numerous meetings with officials from that country.
It remains to be seen, meanwhile, if the former secretary involves other senior officials during the trial or if some of the witnesses who testify throughout the process can also do so.
The Prosecutor’s Office has said that it plans to call “numerous witnesses” to testify, although their identities have not been disclosed.
Last November, the judge in charge of the case, Brian Cogan, authorized the Prosecutor’s Office to inform the defense of the names of the witnesses at the last moment, only three days in advance in the case of those considered non-sensitive and one day in the case of sensitive
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, identifying relevant witnesses could put their safety at risk. Anonymity and protection will also be guaranteed to the members of the jury, according to Cogan decreed last year, who highlighted “the dangerousness of the defendant demonstrated by the seriousness of the crimes with which he is charged.”
Unlike many other defendants in proceedings of this type, García Luna will attend the trial dressed as a civilian, in a suit and tie, and not with the usual prisoner’s uniform, as recently authorized by the judge in response to a defense request. .
