El Chapo lawyer: Defense has nothing to prove

November 13, 2018 Associated Press

A K-9 team walks past people waiting to enter Brooklyn federal court, Tuesday. Opening statements at the trial of the notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are to begin Tuesday morning under tight security. The evidence will include the testimony of more than a dozen cooperating witnesses who prosecutors say are risking retribution by taking the stand. AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

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A lawyer for the Mexican drug lord known as “El Chapo” says he’s ready to defend his client and has nothing to prove.

Eduardo Balarezo spoke to journalists on Tuesday while entering the highly secured Brooklyn federal courthouse where Joaquin Guzman (wah-KEEN’ gooz-MAHN’) is being tried.

One of the jurors was excused shortly before opening statements were set to begin. The reason was unclear.

The lawyers and judge have been working to select a replacement. It’s not known how long that will take.