Brooklyn judge denies El Chapo’s request to speak in court
Trial date set for Sept. 5
Appearing in court for a status conference leading up to his September trial, a Brooklyn federal court judge denied a request by alleged Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to speak in court on Thursday.
“I don’t need to hear from Mr. Guzman,” Judge Brian Cogan said in Brooklyn’s federal court. “I may yet hear from him, but not today because it’s too sudden.”
According to his attorney, Eduardo Balarezo, Guzman wanted to publically advise his family to pay for his lawyer and to address how strict prison conditions have hampered his defense.