El Chapo Sentenced to Life in Prison

Earlier this month, the Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera, better known as El Chapo, was convicted on all ten counts of his indictment on the Tuesday of February 11, 2019.  The drug lord, whose nickname means "Shorty," was charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs; conspiracy to commit murder; the manufacturing and distribution of cocaine; the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine; the manufacturing and distribution of heroin; the manufacturing and distribution of marijuana; illegal use of firearms; money laundering; and running a criminal enterprise, which carries a life sentence.

The jury consisted of eight women and four men.  As the verdict was read to Mr. Gúzman, the defendant, the jury members did not look at Mr. Gúzman.  Mr. Gúzman showed no visible reaction towards the verdict, however, one of Mr. Gúzman's lawyers described him as "extremely upbeat" after the trial.  The partially sequestered and anonymous jury deliberated for 34 hours over six days.  The jury sat through two and a half months of testimony regarding torture, murder, corruption, mistresses, and indulgences.

Although the defense lost this trial, the defense remained in positive spirits.  When asked about his response to the results of the trial, El Chapo's defense attorney Eduardo Balarezo responded, "We are obviously disappointed with the jury's verdict in the trial of Joaquín Guzmán Loera but are respectful of the process and the jury's decision."  Another member of the defense team, Jeffrey Lichtman, announces that they plan to file an appeal on several issues so this will not be the last we hear about the famous druglord.