NEW YORK _ The defense case for Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera ended after a mere 30 minutes Tuesday _ with just a single witness summoned.
The brief effort came after prosecutors unleashed an 11-week case featuring 56 witnesses, including 13 associates of Guzman who turned government witnesses. They laid out in damning details the defendant's alleged litany of murder and drug dealing.
Guzman, 61, opted not to take the stand in his own defense. A lone FBI agent appeared instead for the defense, testifying about a debriefing conducted with one of the informants.
The defense also introduced one document into the court record, ending their blink-of-an-eye rebuttal.
The jury at the federal court in Brooklyn was sent home, with the lawyers and trial judge meeting to discuss legal matters. Closing arguments were expected to begin Wednesday and run into Thursday.
If convicted, Guzman could face life in prison on drug and murder conspiracy charges.
