El Chapo granted a short continuance, New trial date in November 5th

Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat

A partial victory for El Chapo, jury selection begins November 5th

Joaquín “El Chapo Guzmán’s trial has been continued to November 5, 2018. The defense had asked for an extension of 5 months,.  The added time was to be allowed sufficient time to, review the massive amounts  of information forwarded  by the government earlier this month.

In commenting on the ruling, Eduardo Balarezo, El Chapo’s defense attorney said;

"Mr. Guzman is highly disappointed with the decision to continue the trial for only two months. Given the immense amount of information dumped upon the defense by the government at the last minute, Mr. Guzman thought a 5 month continuance was appropriate. He believes that the prosecution is purposely playing games in an effort to deny him a fair trial and trusts that an impartial jury will see through the smoke and mirrors at trial.”

Full docket text:

ORDER granting in part and denying in part [262] Motion to Continue Trial and to Preclude as to Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera. In light of the Government's recent voluminous discovery production to defendant, the trial is adjourned for 60 days. Jury selection will begin Monday, November 5, 2018 in Courtroom 8D South with trial to follow. The Court will file separately a scheduling order resetting relevant dates based on the new trial date. As to the motion to preclude, the Court declines to grant a blanket order precluding the Government from using at trial any evidence produced after June 26, 2018. So Ordered by Judge Brian M. Cogan on 7/16/2018.