by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
SDNY EXCLUSIVE, Feb 9 – After the president of Honduras' brother Tony Hernandez was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life plus thirty years, on April 21, 2022 the ex-president himself, Juan Orlando Hernandez, was extradited to the United States.
[Espanol aqui]
On December 19, 2023 as to co-defendant Tigre Bonilla, Judge Castel ruled: "ORDER as to Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares; The trial of this action has been long set for February 5, 2024. The Court does not anticipate moving that trial date or granting a severance."
It was moved to February 6. After Pineda plead guilty, on February 6 on no notice, and with Inner City Press the only media in the courtroom, Tigre Bonilla pled guilty. Thread
On February 7, JOH's new lawyer again asked for a delay: "I simply need more time" - full letter on Patreon here.
On February 8, Judge Castel denied JOH's request for a written jury questionnaire but concluded "the Court will require the government to furnish a letter describing the productions referenced in the second sentence of Mr. Stabile’s letter of February 7, 2024 by 2 p.m. on February 9, 2024 and, if appropriate, will issue a further Order" - full order on Patreon here.
At 1:55 pm on Feburary 9, the US filed about "30 pages of MLAT returns received from the Honduran government on February 5, 2024, containing line sheets for the four wiretap calls referenced in its January 19, 2024 letter [and] 27 files relating to a witness (“Witness-1”) for whom, consistent with the Court’s prior ex parte order, the Government received permission for delayed disclosure of Section 3500 materials" - full letter on Patreon here.
More details on X for subscribers here and Substack here
The case is US v. Diaz Morales, et al., 15-cr-379 (Castel)
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