Lawyer for Zeta to seek suppression of confession in killing of ICE agent Jaime Zapata


ICEJaimeZapata-226x300.jpg
Jaime Zapata

Posted on 04/25/2012 by Gary Martin

A lawyer for a Mexican drug cartel member accused of killing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Jaime Zapata said Wednesday he would file motions to suppress statements his client made after his arrest.

Julian Zapata Espinoza, a member of the Los Zetas drug cartel, was arrested with several other cartel members by Mexican authorities after the Feb. 15, 2011 shooting in Mexico that killed the ICE agent and seriously wounded another.

“I need to find out what happened when he was in the custody of the Mexican authorities,” said Ron Earnest, a Washington-area lawyer appointed to represent Zapata Espinoza.

Federal prosecutors told U.S. Chief District Judge Royce Lamberth that they were wrapping up their review of U.S. and Mexican investigations, and reports that were written in both English and Spanish.

Lamberth set a Sept. 4 hearing where a trail date could be scheduled.
Justice Department lawyer Michael DiLorenzo said prosecutors should be finished with their review by that hearing.

Zapata Espinoza is charged with murder of Zapata, 32, of Brownsville, and the attempted murder of ICE special agent Victor Avila.

The defendant also faces charges of murder and attempted murder of internationally protected persons and using a firearm during the crimes.
He is being held without bail.

Five other Zetas were arrested in connection with the shooting, which occurred on a highway between Mexico City and San Luis Potosi.
Zapata Espinoza confessed to participating in the crime, according to a statement released by the National Defense Secretariat of Mexico after the arrests.

Earnest said he is reviewing documents turned over to the defense by U.S. and Mexican prosecutors.

The defense lawyer said he would likely file motions to suppress any statements, claiming his client was the victim of coercion.
Lawyer for Zeta to seek suppression of confession in killing of ICE agent Jaime Zapata | Texas on the Potomac | a mySA.com blog