El Chapo Trial: What made Chapo tear up

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat

 

El Paso 2010

Agents testimony; more drugs and weapons

Today was not an earth shattering day in court.  No Cooperative witnesses, there was a ATF agent who gave testimony how various weapons works.

With a backdrop of a cart filled with AK-47 rifles in the courtroom. The agent explained how a  RPG works, demonstrating by using a real launcher and grenade. When he laid down the weapon on the jury box, a female juror inches away looked horrified.

The agent gave a meticulous description of how easily a legally purchased semi-auto AK-47 can be converted to full-auto. Saying it only takes a few seconds,  with "a simple hand file." Or with a $15 part and a drill: "Five minutes total you've got a very reliable machine gun."

Two additional witnesses today were from the Colombian National Police. They testified about finding 403 cocaine bricks, 49 40-mm grenades, and 3 anti-tank RPG grenades in a small plane at an airport in the city of Ipiales. Still unclear exactly how these are connected to Chapo.

The return of cell-gate

The gift that keeps on giving.  Cell-Gate

You may recall I said the only defense party who did not submit a statement denying facilitating communication between Chapo and Emaa, was Ms. Colon. 

The government says that Emma was in the cafeteria sending messages to Mariel Colon while Colonl was with Chapo on another phone in an attorney conference room.

But Judge Cogan found that likely did not happen.

The allegation is that Mariel Colon, gave a cellphone to Emma Coronel and then went to meet privately with Chapo with another cellphone. Colon denies this. But she also took the fifth when Cogan asked her about the allegations.

While Judge Cogan says there's not enough to evidence to prove the claim that Colon facilitated contact, he said her conduct shows "a flagrant disregard for the court's rules." She's no longer allowed to have a cellphone in the courthouse.

Hopefully this buries Cell-Gate once and for all.

Emma and Chapo’s twin daughters

After a three day court absence, Emma Coronel returned with a special gift for Chapo, their 7 year old twins daughters.

A couple of minutes after starting the trial on Thursday, Emma Coronel, Maria Joaquina and Emali made their appearance in the courtroom. The girls wore matching white jackets and their hair decked out with festive glittery bows, grabbed the attention of all in the courtroom, not the least of all their father.  Chapo actually stood up as they entered waving at the girls.

The father paid little attention to the witness giving testimony, turning fully to his left to send air kisses to his young daughters.

The typically undemonstrative defendant, was reportedly unable to contain his emotions as his eyes filled with tears. Defense attorney Eduardo Balarezo patted Chapo’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

Mexican press reports that reporters, who sit in the first row in front of Emma’s spot, actually created a space as to not obstruct Chapo’s view of his children.

This simple act of love of a father towards his children, humanizes him in a way few other things are able. 

And in full view of the jury.

And that is all for my Chapo Trial Coverage for 2018----

Back at it next year! January 3, 2019