FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2017 file photo provided U.S. law enforcement, authorities escort Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, center, from a plane to a waiting caravan of SUVs at Long Island MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. A jury has been picked for the U.S. trial of the Mexican drug lord. Seven women and five men were selected Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, as jurors in the case against Guzman. The trial is set to begin Nov. 13 with opening statements in federal court in Brooklyn. (U.S. law enforcement via AP, File)
NEW YORK – 11:20 a.m.
Opening statements in the U.S. trial of the alleged Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo" have been delayed because of a problem seating a full jury.
One of the jurors selected for the New York City trial of Joaquin Guzman (wah-KEEN' gooz-MAHN') was excused shortly before the trial was set to open on Tuesday.
The reason was unclear.
The lawyers and judge were working to select a replacement from a pool of potential jurors who had previously been considered for the trial but hadn't made the final cut.
It wasn't known how long it would take to get the alternate on the jury so both sides could make their opening statements.
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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.
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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.
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