US jury convicts El Chapo on all counts
UPDATE: 2/12/2019 9:23 a.m. After nearly three months of testimony and six days of deliberation about a vast drug-smuggling conspiracy steeped in violence, a jury has convicted infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman in his criminal conspiracy and drug trafficking trial.
Guzman was convicted on all counts.
The jury heard extensive testimony about Guzman’s rise to power as the head of the Sinaloa cartel in the high-profile trial before reaching the verdict Tuesday. Prosecutors said he’s responsible for smuggling at least 200 tons of cocaine into the United States and a wave of killings in turf wars with other cartels.
Before jury deliberations began Feb. 4, the judge instructed jurors to review 10 criminal counts against Guzman. Jurors have been going through a verdict form that asks them to make 53 decisions about whether prosecutors have proven various elements of the 10-count indictment.
Many are related to the top count, accusing him of running a continuing criminal enterprise. He faces life in prison.
The counts:
Count One/ Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise
Count Two/ International Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine and Marijuana Manufacture and Distribution Conspiracy
Count Three/Cocaine Importation Conspiracy
Count Four/Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy
Count Five/ International Distribution of Cocaine
Count Six/ International Distribution of Cocaine
Count Seven/ International Distribution of Cocaine
Count Eight/ International Distribution of Cocaine
Count Nine/ Use of Firearms
Count Ten/ Conspiracy to Launder Narcotics Proceeds
Guzman, 61, is notorious for escaping prison twice in Mexico. In closing arguments, prosecutor Andrea Goldbarg said he was plotting yet another prison break when was he was sent in 2017 to the U.S., where he’s been held in solitary confinement ever since.
The defendant wanted to escape “because he is guilty and he never wanted to be in a position where he would have to answer for his crimes,” Goldbarg said. “He wanted to avoid sitting right there. In front of you.”
