Rescheduled hearing and start of the trial of Juan Orlando Hernández in New York

The judge of the federal court of the Southern District of New York, Kevin Castel, who decides the case for accusations of drug trafficking against the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, has rescheduled the scheduled dates for the process.

The prosecution and the defense had requested a motion to reschedule the discovery hearing before the judge scheduled for September 28. The parties are scheduled to return to the courthouse in Manhattan on October 27 at 2:00 p.m.

The justifications mentioned in the court document show that the extension “would be to provide additional time for the defense to review the materials” presented by the United States Department of Justice as evidence for the prosecution.

Under this new calendar, the judge has rescheduled the start date of Hernandez’s trial from the initial date of January 17, 2023, to April 24 of next year.

The wife of Juan Orlando Hernández, Ana García de Hernández, has reacted when the notification was made public and has said that the change of date benefits them to demonstrate that her husband “is innocent.”

The former first lady commented on social networks that the changes are in line with the interests of the defense because the US government has not delivered and provided all the evidence, “including classified material.”

“For us it is good news because what we have been maintaining is reaffirmed, that Juan Orlando Hernández is innocent,” said the defendant’s wife, quoted by the press from Honduras.

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and turn on notifications, or follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.