Judge Delays Noriega Drug Trial After Juror Becomes Ill
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MIAMI — The federal judge hearing the case against deposed Panamanian strongman Manuel A. Noriega ordered the trial halted until Monday after a juror became ill Friday.
Noriega, who surrendered to U.S. troops following the 1989 invasion of Panama, has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of drug trafficking and racketeering.
Prosecutors contend that Noriega demanded millions of dollars in bribes to help Colombia’s Medellin cartel ship tons of cocaine to the United States through Panama.
Defense lawyers have argued that Noriega instead helped U.S. drug agents find and arrest drug merchants.
“I do intend to move ahead on Monday,” U.S. District Judge William M. Hoeveler said, adding he would decide then if the ill juror could continue with the trial.
Two jurors have already been excused due to illness during the trial, which is now in its sixth month. Two alternate jurors remain on the panel.
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