Juan Orlando Hernández has entered prison with a blue shirt and the courtroom is full. He points to his heart, looking at someone in the gallery, as the performer speaks to him through the microphone and headphones.
– There are three US Marshals accompanying Juan Orlando, one standing behind him, two by the door of the cell block through which he entered.
– Judge Castel: We’re here for US v. Juan Orlando Hernandez.
– Raymond Colón: On behalf of Mr. Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado.
– Judge Castel: I have a substitute indictment. Mr. Colón, has the defendant discussed it with you?
– Columbus: Yes.
– Judge Castel: How do you declare?
– JOH: Not guilty, your honor.
– Judge Castel: Let me hear regarding the discovery.
– Prosecutor’s Office: We have electronic files that include messages from social networks of the accused. We are 60 days to complete production.
– Judge Castel: Do you have wiretaps and returns of search warrants?
– Prosecutor: Yes.
– Judge Castel: Any statement following the arrest?
– Prosecutor: No.
– Judge Castel: Mr. Colón, any motion?
– Columbus: Yes, sir.
– Judge Castel: What if he comes back in 120 days to file a motion?
– Columbus: Yes.
– Judge Castel: So, the second half of September.
Juan Orlando is taking notes on a yellow legal pad. A woman in the front row has an interpretation whispered into her ear.
– Colón: I would like to leave something on the record, I have the honor of representing the former president of Honduras. The people in the gallery want to show their admiration for him.
Outside on Worth Street, a crowd is chanting for Juan Orlando to have at least the same life plus 30 years as his brother Tony.
– Colón: It was difficult to meet my client at the MDC and it undermines the sixth amendment. You shouldn’t have to do a daily research process.
– Colón: My client has been denied commissioner privileges since he arrived. We have tried to deposit money but he is refused, he has been there for 20 days without any access to the police station and has not been allowed to call his family.
– Colón: My legal assistants can go in to see him, but I don’t, I don’t think I’m on any watch list, he has also been denied access to emails. He’s in a segregated unit I understand, I was an assistant to the prison commission in NY.
– Colón: He is in KH 4, he is the only inmate there. He is being treated like a prisoner of war, they don’t give him a ball on the basketball court.
– Colón: He is not a terrorist, he has not harmed anyone. Many here agree that Juan Orlando has not harmed anyone.
– Judge Castel: I would like the prosecutors to investigate any restrictions on Mr. Colón’s access to his client and inform me in a week, seven days. If there is material that needs to be sealed, so be it, it can be.
– Castel: Regarding his placement in the SHU [Unidad de Vivienda Especial], is not what we do as a Judiciary. Mr. Colón, following that report, you might write to me.
– Prosecution We’re determining if a classified briefing will be needed, we’ll say in 60 days.
– Prosecution: We move to exclude the time under the Speedy Trial Law until September 28.
– Judge Castel: I intend to choose a trial date of September 28 and only Tuesday, January 17, 2023 would work for a trial.
Hernández heard the charges once morest him and once the hearing was over, he left the courtroom.
