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Security will be incredibly tight in downtown Brooklyn as opening statements get underway in the trial of Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo.
El Chapo, whose real name is Joaquin Guzman, is accused of numerous crimes that include drug trafficking, kidnappings and murder. A 17-count indictment also includes money laundering charges and federal prosecutors will argue that additional murders were carried out at his direction.
El Chapo has broken out of prison in Mexico multiple times and there have been violent acts carried out against his opponents. As a result, witnesses at the trial are being kept confidential out of concern for their safety.
"I probably would (be afraid), but I'd probably do it anyways. You have to," one man told WOR's Alice Stockton-Rossini about potentially serving on the jury.
Extra precautions are also being taken to protect the jury. Jurors will remain anonymous and will be partly sequestered. They will also be escorted to and from federal court by federal marshals.
"Hopefully this country does what it does to protect the witnesses," another person said.
"I wouldn't want to get involved," a man said. "It would definitely be scary."