Thread by @alanfeuer

The only thing crazier than last week at the El Chapo trial is going to be this week.
You can read about both here.
W/@emilyepalmer

nytimes.com/2019/01/13/nyr…

As you’ll see, the prosecution has indicated that it intends to rest on or around Jan 23.
That raises the question of whether Chapo will testify. I remain skeptical (but hopeful.) But here are several reasons why the unthinkable might actually happen.

1. He has nothing to lose. After the secretly intercepted phone calls and texts emerged last week Chapo’s chances of acquittal went from nil to lol. Why not say your piece at this point?

2. He likes publicity. His lawyer admitted as much in his opening argument. What other narco lord has ever given an interview to Rolling Stone?

He’s never going to get a public platform like he one he has now. You think Sean Penn got Chapo a big audience? He testifies, everyone from Proceso to the Burundi Gazettee will likely be there.

4. He has spent the past eight weeks watching as almost everyone he ever worked with has shown up in court and told his story for him. At what point does he take control of his own story?

He actually has something to say, which is what he said to Rolling Stone. Namely: I am a drug dealer because Americans do drugs. Does the self-serving nature of a statement like that make it any less true?