The long-awaited trial of Joaquín Guzmán Loera who is more widely known as “El Chapo” is scheduled to begin on November 5 with the selection of jurors. The accused stands charged with alleged drug trafficking, as well as money laundering. His upcoming trial in Brooklyn, New York, equates with “more than three decades in the making,” VICE reported.

Drug cartel members might compromise trial

The most recent threat reportedly arising is that drug cartel members might “infiltrate” the legal proceedings. According to Insight Crime, there are two distinct possibilities: Sinaloa members could masquerade as authentic reporters or use blackmail to enlist “real journalist” to assist them.

Not taking any chances that members of the cartel could harm jurors, prosecutors have gone to great lengths to better ensure their safety. Not only is information about jurors going to be shielded, but federal marshals will also chauffeur them from home to court throughout the trial. The marshals will be armed, Insight noted.

Jailed witnesses ‘encouraged’ to sever ties with family, friends

Measures have also been enacted to better protect witnesses. The witnesses who are detained in jail have been “encouraged” to sever their connections with both family members and their friends.

Prosecutors are endeavoring to sustain their protection.

Eduardo Balarezo is El Chapo’s attorney. He disputes the contention that such high security, as the secrecy surrounding jurors’ identities, is warranted. Guzmán has pretty much been isolated while awaiting his trial, Balarezo pointed out. As a result of that isolation, his client cannot possibly affect the killing of anyone.

Defense team asks judge to put the brakes on trial date

Not so fast anyway, says Guzmán’s legal team. His lawyers want to put the brakes on the trial start date, according to the New York Post.

They want to push back the date until 2019. Judge Brian Cogan will have to decide if their request will be granted a fifth time.

El Chapo’s lawyers contend that they cannot review “all of the materials” prior to the slated date for jury selection to commence, the Post wrote. The request derived from the voluminous amount of “material to wade through.” The attorneys do not think they will be able to effectively cross-examine the witnesses who have cooperated with authorities if the trial is not postponed.

Attorneys not ready for case to commence

The conditions in which Guzmán’s lawyers meet with him in-person have been described as “abysmal” by his attorneys.

The room is reportedly cramped and so confining that only three attorneys at a time are able to visit their client in preparation for the trial.

Even after meeting with their client for six hours a day, seven days a week, El Chapo’s lawyers believe the November 5 start date is too soon since they are not ready. Prosecutors are asking the judge not to buy into the reasons offered by the defense, calling their basis for postponement “stale.”

No ‘legal or factual basis’ for postponement

In addition to pointing out that the defense is trying to rehash old claims, the travel arrangements for witnesses have already been finalized, according to prosecutors and the Post. The motion to push the date once again is not rooted in a “legal or factual basis,” prosecutors believe.

The next pivotal date before the trial is October 29. Judge Cogan arranged a conference to hash out the motion to move the date.

Be sure to follow Blasting News for updates about the upcoming trial of accused drug kingpin leader El Chapo and for the latest information. While her husband awaits trial, Emma Coronel Aispuro, created an Instagram account under his name, which has since been deleted.

In other, unrelated court news, the city of Springdale, Arkansas, asked a judge to block Josh Duggar's effort to obtain documents reportedly related to his lawsuit against the city. He alleges that he suffered emotional distress as a result of authorities releasing information from when he was a juvenile and allegedly molested four of his sisters, as well as a babysitter.
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