Thread by @innercitypress

OK - in #NarcosHonduras trial of US v. Geovanny Fuentes, it's jury deliberation. The courtroom has been opened; the jury is in another room but will send out notes. Song: soundcloud.com/innercitypress… Inner City Press will live tweet - thread below.

Update of 10: 47 am: Something is afoot. The Marshals have brought Fuentes out of the holding cell. AUSAs on their way (Judge Castel's 8 minute rule). Unlike other days, Fuentes looks alert, looking all around. One might say "worried" but with mask, hard to tell.

OK - Judge Castel just came to the bench. "Here we have electronic exhibits. With paper exhibits, an index not as needed: the jury could thumb through. On Friday, the defense objected to exhibits going on. Now jury wants the exhibits." Why is defense objecting?

Defense withdraws its objection. 'Madame Deputy, please arrange for index to go in." We're adjourned for now.
So, jury has asked for exhibits and index, which on Friday Fuentes' lawyers objected to going in to the jury room, at least until the jurors asked for it.

Update of 12 noon: Again, Geovanny Fuentes is brought back into the courtroom.
Judge Castel: We have a note from the jury, What is the source of Exhibit 613. Is there an agreement on the response?
AUSA: The answer is that the record does not identify the source

Judge Castel: Then how did it get into evidence?
AUSA: It was shown to Mr. Rivera, a gun like one he'd seen the defendant with.

[Inner City Press: Here is Exhibit 613, photo of gun shown to Leonel Rivera]

Judge Castel: The second note this time is for a re-read of the testimony of Mr. Sanchez. But that was hours' long. We could ask the jurors to be more specific.

Judge Castel has finished and printed the two responses to the jurors, says, We are in recess.
Thread will continue.

Update of 1:12 pm: Geovanny Fuentes has been brought out again, the AUSAs are at the prosecution table.

Judge Castel: The beginning of his testimony about the conversation of the defendant and Hernandez [JOH] regarding protection and transportation

AUSA: We have agreed on what to send in, without colloquy.
Judge Castel: OK, we'll prepare to send it in to the jury room. We are adjourned.
Thread will continue.

Update of 2:34 pm - in #NarcosHonduras trial, it looks like we have a verdict. Judge Castel just said, "Bring the jury up." And, "Do you have a copy of the verdict sheet?"
Get ready.

While we await the arrival of the jury in the courtroom (slowed by COVID protocols), and the verdict sheet is not yet read out loud, this song (which will be updated either way) soundcloud.com/innercitypress…

OK - it's on.
Judge Castel (reading note) "Judge, we have reached a verdict"... Please stand.
Count 1, Has the government shown? Yes. Guilty.
Count 2: Machine guns: Guilty.

Count 3: Conspiracy to possess machine guns. Guilty. Destructive device? No.
Judge Castel: Poll the jury.
All agree.

Judge Castel sets sentencing date: June 22, 3 pm.
"We are adjourned... I see the defendant has his hand up. You should speak to your lawyer first."
He says, in Spanish, he'd like to see his family on humanitarian grounds.

Fuentes' son came in to NYC today. Judge Castel asks Marshals, if they can, to allow the visit.
"We are adjourned"