United States

El Chapo Seeks New Trial Citing Jury Misconduct

What to Know

  • Defense attorneys say the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo should get a new trial
  • Joaquin Guzman's defense team said in court filings Tuesday that jury misconduct denied him the right to a fair trial
  • El Chapo's attorneys say jurors improperly followed media coverage of the sensational drug conspiracy case

Defense attorneys say the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo should get a new trial because jurors improperly followed media coverage of the sensational drug conspiracy case.

Joaquin Guzman's defense team said in court filings Tuesday that jury misconduct denied him the right to a fair trial.

Guzman was convicted last month of murder conspiracy and drug-trafficking charges.

The defense request cites a Vice News report that at least five jurors followed media reports and Twitter feeds during the three-month trial.

That report says jurors also were aware of potentially prejudicial claims that had been excluded from the trial.

The defense is asking the judge to hold a hearing and grant a new trial.

The U.S. attorney's office is declining to comment.

Guzman faces life in prison at his June sentencing.

Copyright The Associated Press
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