New: Following the new dictates of the coronavirus-era, a bail hearing for Genaro Garcia Luna, Mexico's former top cop accused of taking bribes from the Sinaloa cartel, is now taking place by teleconference.
Last week, Garcia Luna asked to be released from the Brooklyn federal jail where at least one case of COVID19 has been detected. Yesterday, prosecutors opposed his release saying he was not at risk for the disease but was a risk to flee the US to Mexico if set free.
The two sides are now arguing about how hard it would be for GGL to escape by car to Mexico. Defense is saying it would take him more than a day to drive down to Laredo and the border's closed anyhow.
Prosecutors are warning he could cut off his ankle monitor and disappear...
Prosecutors are warning he could cut off his ankle monitor and disappear...
That's it: the judge rejects GGL's new request for bail.
But wait....the judge will still entertain an emergency request for temporary release b/c of coronavirus...
Prosecutors are saying GGL is not at high risk for COVID-19. GGL's lawyer is saying that the govt is greatly minimizing the effects of COVID inside the Brooklyn federal jail. NYC, he says, is in a crisis: hospital beds in Central Park, FEMA making makeshift morgues....
Now: Judge has just denied Garcia Luna's emergency application for release due to coronavirus. He'll stay locked up throughout the outbreak.
"He's very scared," GGL's lawyer, Cesar de Castro, said just before the ruling. "He's very concerned he will contract the virus."
"He's very scared," GGL's lawyer, Cesar de Castro, said just before the ruling. "He's very concerned he will contract the virus."
