TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS.- On Tuesday, May 10 at 11:00 in the morning, the hearing to formalize the charges against the former president will take place. John Orlando Hernandez on the Court of the Southern District of New Yorkin which he will plead not guilty.
Hernández’s lawyers -Raymond Colón and Daniel Pérez- told THE HERALD that when asked how the former president considers himself, he will tell the judge Kevin Castel that he is not guilty, as he has always maintained.
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“His state of mind is like the first day: strong!” Said the defenders who affirmed that finally Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, JOH’s brother, will not go to the stand to testify. “‘Tony’ will definitely not testify and it is a loss for the Prosecutor’s Office,” they detailed.
After the hearing on May 10, the start of the trial must be agreed and this procedural moment could start in mid-July, the lawyers consider.
“The process -can last- about two years and a possible trial two to three months due to the number of witnesses,” the defense told this newspaper.
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The New York Court, through an official letter addressed to the United States Attorney’s Office, ordered that the documentation that serves as evidence be shared with the defense, but JOH’s lawyers stated that they have not been provided with anything.
“So far they are not contributing anything. They expected him (Juan Orlando Hernández) to be alone, without any type of support, and everything has turned to the Prosecutor’s Office, “they argued.
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