Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Opening arguments in the trial of accused Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman were delayed Tuesday after one of the jurors asked to be dismissed.
Before the opening statements in Brooklyn, a juror requested to dismissed from the case, stating she suffered from anxiety after being selected. Guzman faces a 17-count indictment for drug trafficking, murder conspiracy and money laundering over his 25 years as the leader of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel.
The request was issued in a letter to the judge that was read aloud in court. The prosecution and defense agreed to allow the juror to be excused.
Judge Brian Cogan and the lawyers began working Tuesday to select a replacement from a pool of 10 potential jurors.
Prior to the woman being excused Monday, the jury consisted of seven women and five men. All 12 jurors have been kept anonymous due to security concerns.
The Brooklyn Bridge shut down as a police motorcade transported Guzman to and from the Manhattan federal lockup, and armed federal marshals alongside officers with bomb-sniffing dogs stood outside the courthouse.
Guzman has pleaded not guilty to the charges and would face a life sentence in prison if convicted.
He previously escaped from two maximum-security prisons in Mexico before being extradited to stand trial in the United States.
