MEXICO CITY.- The former Mexican Secretary of Security, Genaro García Lunaappealed verdict and sentence against him issued by the Eastern District Court of New York for drug trafficking and false declaration.
This Wednesday the formal appeal motion presented by García Luna and dated October 18 to both the sentence and the verdict against the official was announced.
García Luna sentence
On October 16, Judge Brian Cogan announced García Luna’s sentence to 38 years and 8 months of imprisonment for five crimes, four of them for drug trafficking and one for having lied in his statement when applying for US citizenship, in 2018. .
Additionally, Cogan fined him $2 million on one count and five years of supervised release on the others.
To the former Mexican official they found him guilty “for helping the Sinaloa cartel for a decade in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes.”
Cogan accused the former Mexican official of leading “a double life. You will dress very elegant. You will be able to say that you respect the law. And he surely believes it. But his behavior is the same as that of Chapo.”
However, he avoided sentencing him to life imprisonment to give him “a light at the end of the tunnel” and to consider his actions in prison, where he dedicated himself to teaching other prisoners.
Read: Genaro García Luna is sentenced to more than 38 years in prison
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**Interview with Legal Expert Maria Cruz on Genaro García Luna’s Appeal**
**Host:** Welcome, everyone. Today we have Maria Cruz, a legal expert specializing in international law, to discuss the appeal filed by former Mexican Secretary of Security Genaro García Luna against his conviction on drug trafficking and false statements. Maria, thank you for joining us.
**Maria Cruz:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s start with the basics. Could you provide a brief background on Genaro García Luna’s case and why he’s appealing?
**Maria Cruz:** Certainly. Genaro García Luna was a high-ranking official in Mexico who oversaw public security. He was convicted in the Eastern District Court of New York for drug trafficking and making false declarations. The evidence presented against him was substantial, linking him to organized crime. His appeal, which was formally presented on October 18, seeks to challenge both the verdict and the sentence, citing reasons that his family has suffered public attacks as a result of the trial.
**Host:** What are the typical grounds for appealing a conviction in such cases?
**Maria Cruz:** Appeals can be based on several factors. Common grounds include procedural errors that could affect the trial’s outcome, insufficient evidence to uphold the conviction, or issues related to the interpretation of the law. In García Luna’s case, his team might argue that the court’s ruling was unjust or that his constitutional rights were violated during the proceedings.
**Host:** Given the details of this case, what impact might this appeal have on public perception of law enforcement in Mexico?
**Maria Cruz:** This case has already stirred significant controversy and eroded public trust in law enforcement. If García Luna’s appeal is successful, it could reinforce skepticism among the public about the accountability of high-level officials. On the other hand, if his appeal fails, it could signify a strong stance against corruption in law enforcement and send a message that no one is above the law.
**Host:** That’s a very insightful perspective, Maria. As we wait for the outcomes of the appeal, how do you see this case evolving in the near future?
**Maria Cruz:** The appeal process can take time, often ranging from several months to years, depending on various factors such as the complexity of the case and court schedules. During this time, we may see ongoing discussions regarding the reforms needed in Mexico to address corruption within law enforcement, as well as additional trials against other officials potentially implicated in similar activities.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Maria. We’ll certainly keep an eye on how this situation unfolds.
**Maria Cruz:** My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
**Host:** And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other important legal matters.
