News AP News The Latest: NY El Chapo trial prompts intense security

The Latest: NY El Chapo trial prompts intense security

The notorious Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo" is being tried in New York City amid intense security measures

The Latest: NY El Chapo trial prompts intense security Image Source : APThe Latest: NY El Chapo trial prompts intense security

NEW YORK (AP) — 10:20 a.m.

The notorious Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo" is being tried in New York City amid intense security measures.

The wife of defendant Joaquin Guzman (wah-KEEN' gooz-MAHN') entered a Brooklyn courthouse on Tuesday to watch opening statements at his trial.

The defendant's history of violence has prompted patrols by heavily armed officers outside the Brooklyn courthouse.

The jury is anonymous.

Guzman also has been held in solitary confinement and barred from seeing his wife out of concerns he could pass messages to his cohorts.

The evidence will include the testimony of more than a dozen cooperating witnesses who prosecutors say are risking retribution. There also will be evidence about multiple murders committed in drug wars in Mexico, cocaine smuggling and Guzman's brazen escapes from jail.

His lawyers say he's being framed by cooperators.

___

12:01 a.m.

A U.S. jury is set to hear an epic tale about the notorious Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo."

Opening statements at the trial of Joaquin Guzman are to begin Tuesday morning in a New York City courtroom 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. There also will be evidence about multiple murders committed in drug wars in Mexico, about cocaine smuggled in jalapenos cans and Guzman's brazen escapes from jail.

His arrest and extradition to New York City shook up Mexico's drug underworld and remains a big story there.

He could face life in prison if convicted of drug-trafficking charges. His lawyers say he's being framed by the cooperators.

Disclaimer: This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Associated Press (AP) wire.