Defense slaps back at claims El Chapo tortured and murdered 6 Americans including DEA agent Kiki Camarena

Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat

Claims surfaced yesterday charging Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman with some stunning allegations,  that during the 80’s,  at his hand, El Chapo tortured DEA agent Kiki Camarena.  

The claims go on to say Chapo  killed four Americans who were Jehovah’s Witnesses, Benjamin Mascarenas, 29; his wife Pat Mascarenas, 27; Dennis Carlson, 32; and his wife Rose Carlson, 36  who were murdered during a missionary trip in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

The claims were from 3 former Mexican policemen, of which at least one is in the witness protection program.  How they qualified for the program and on what basis is unknown to this reporter.  A former DEA agent Hector Berrellez,  issued similar claims four years ago.

Godoy, former Mexican cop demonstrates how he saw Chapo kill an American

The three former Mexican police told the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles they witnessed Guzman carry out the murderous acts between late 1984 and early 1985. Jorge Godoy, one of the former cops who is now under witness protection, says that “Guzman took pleasure in killing people.”

“He likes to cut the people,” Godoy says.  Noteworthy is that Chapo does not have a reputation for such acts.  Often narcos will get a reputation for direct involvement in killings, an example is Edgar Valdez Villarreal aka La Barbie.  Chapo does not have a reputation of direct involvement.

Godoy says the four American Jehovah’s Witnesses were murdered during a missionary trip in Guadalajara, Mexico when they knocked on the door of Ernesto Fonseca. Godoy says Chapo was involved in the torture, rape and killing of the Americans.  He further states Chapo personally shot each person and “watched them fall into an open grave.”

"These allegations are baseless and are being peddled to the government by corrupt former Mexican police officers seeking benefits from the United States government. These very same officers violated the public trust by working for drug cartels to make a buck at the same time they were entrusted with protecting the public."..... Eduardo Balarezo

Godoy goes on, saying two other Americans were killed by the “crazed drug lord”.   Americans, John Walker, 35, and Albert Radelat, 33, went to La Langosta restaurant to have dinner.

The story continues, that Rafael Caro Quintero mistook the two for DEA agents and ordered them killed in the restaurant.

Godoy says he  “witnessed” the killings.

He said Guzman sliced  Walker’s throat, then according to Godoy, Chapo  took  and buried the two victims in a nearby park.

Berrellez finished his story by saying Chapo tortured Kiki Camarena and his pilot.

Speaking about the murdered Americans, Berrellez says
"From what I understand,Chapo interrogated, tortured and shot them."

“Absolutely, he (Chapo) tortured both of them,” Berrellez said. “He was seen by two witnesses slap, kick and spit in Camarena’s face. He was involved in physically torturing Camarena.”

As far as I can determine;

The claims originated four years ago when a documentary was released at the South by Southwest festival in Austin Texas.  The documentary was titled “The Legend of Shorty”.

The film follows the life of El Chapo.  The film makers claim to have “spoken to the family of El Chapo, who none appeared in the film, to attain inside information.  This is an amazing accomplishment, since it is well known that not only family but Sinaloans are tight lipped about sharing any information against the capo.

The director claimed El Chapo came to meet with him and the director adds:

“He did not want to be filmed, he doesn’t handle himself well in front of cameras, he is   a peasant without eloquence,” said director Guillermo Galdos.

In 2014, a narco blog called “Mexico Rojo”, pulled the story from the film about Chapo torturing Kiki Camarena.  From that post a few outlets republished the story, including “La Prensa” [use this link for the La Prensastory] however the story fell flat.   And El Chapo was never charged with the crimes.   

Godoy nor the other Mexican police are without mention in the La Prensa article.

Godoy shared his story with prosecutors in Los Angeles, however it should be noted, to date, no charges against Chapo has been made in these crimes.

Mexico Rojo stated that Chapo was a part of a group of men who were charged with kidnapping Kiki Camarena in 1985.  Further stating it was “the right hand man of Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo”, who supposedly gave testimony that pointed to Chapo as being a hitman and his “involvement” in the case.   The name of this “right hand man” was never revealed.

The post on Mexico Rojo is no longer good.  The link is invalid.

The story surfaced again yesterday in both U.S. and Mexican news outlets, such as FOX News and Zeta Magazine, a very inopportune time for the case against Joaquín Guzmán or perhaps an opportune timing for the prosecution, as jury selection is on the horizon. 

Chapo has been court ordered off limits to the press.

Chapo’s lead attorney Eduardo Balarezo has issued a formal inquiry to the prosecution to give clarity to the new accusations and if charges will be filed. 

Perusing the comments on the Zeta Magazine article, the conclusion of readers is comical, they point out that soon Chapo will be accused of killing President Kennedy.

Another:

Ernesto Lopez: 

That's right, they say that next week they will accuse him of murdering Lincoln and shooting Reagan, juar juar juar .....

Balarezo distributed a press release yesterday, see below,  click on image to enlarge.

In this video both Mexican cop Godoy and former DEA Berrellez give testimony..