El Chapo Sentenced Today
[Headlines from DRJ]
Earlier today — Mexican drug lord ‘El Chapo’ faces sentencing in US case:
NEW YORK (AP) — Will the notorious Mexican drug lord known as “El Chapo” go quietly?
For Joaquin Guzman, that’s the biggest question at his sentencing in New York City on Wednesday. The highly-anticipated hearing could be his last chance to speak publicly before spending the rest of his life behind bars at a maximum security U.S. prison.
Guzman, 62, was convicted in February on multiple conspiracy counts in an epic drug-trafficking case. The guilty verdict at an 11-week trial triggered what the government says is a well-justified mandatory sentence of life without parole .
Around 11:00 AM EST — ‘El Chapo’ was sentenced to life in prison after saying his trial was unjust and slamming his prison conditions:
Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years and was ordered to pay $12.6 billion in forfeiture on Wednesday in what is likely the last time he’s seen in public before he goes to Colorado’s Supermax prison.
Guzman, wearing a gray suit and dark tie, spoke for about 10 minutes in court before the sentence was handed down and called out issues with the jury.
***
El Chapo, who infamously escaped prison twice in Mexico, also slammed the conditions of his incarceration in New York. “It’s been torture, the most inhumane situation I have lived in my entire life,” he said. “It has been physical, emotional and mental torture.”
What is it like in a Supermax prison?
How does a prison prepare for the arrival of known escape artist and Mexican drug kingpin, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera?
For the ADX “Supermax” prison in Florence, Colo., former warden Robert Hood said administrators will likely stick to the a formula that’s prevented any jailbreaks for 25 years.
For 23 hours out of the day, El Chapo would be in a soundproof, 7-by-12-foot cell. The bed, desk and stool are all made of poured cement. While most inmates are given a black-and white-television, it’s behind a special kind of glass and can be restricted to show old, never live, programs. Their only actual view of the outside world is a 4-inch window.
More about the Supermax at the link.
— DRJ
My hometown is about 30 miles from Supermax. Growing up I knew a couple of people who had parents who worked there, but it seems that the prison is so boring and ordinary that there were never any interesting stories to be told.
Is there really any real prospect of getting that $12 billion back?
JVW (54fd0b) — 7/17/2019 @ 11:58 amProbably not but you never know. That wasn’t their focus but it will be now, so something may turn up.
DRJ (3a8a8a) — 7/17/2019 @ 12:07 pmADK Florence is hard-core. Good luck escaping this time, Jefe.
During that 24th hour, which is shifted around to be at different times every day, they are allowed to exercise in a caged internal courtyard described as being like an empty concrete swimming pool 10 paces across.
The whole facility is designed to make it impossible to determine where you are inside it (hence the 4-inch windows, which reveal nothing but the sky).
The only way out is to bribe/extort enough guards into assisting.
Dave (1bb933) — 7/17/2019 @ 12:15 pm*ADX
blah
Dave (1bb933) — 7/17/2019 @ 12:15 pmActually, all they need to do is smuggle one of these into the prison.
(P.S. How come we didn’t have a dude on a flying skateboard at our parade, Mr. President?)
Dave (1bb933) — 7/17/2019 @ 12:45 pmMore
Dave (1bb933) — 7/17/2019 @ 12:48 pmThat is so cool.
DRJ (3a8a8a) — 7/17/2019 @ 1:02 pmI wonder how long it can stay aloft? It’s so small!
Dave (1bb933) — 7/17/2019 @ 1:15 pm