U.S. prosecutors won't seek death penalty for son of Mexican drug cartel leader 'El Chapo'

Federal prosecutors won’t seek the death penalty for the son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo” if he is convicted of multiple charges in Chicago.

Federal prosecutors won’t seek the death penalty for the son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo” if he is convicted of multiple charges in Chicago.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros filed a one-sentence notice Friday saying he would not seek the death penalty against Joaquin Guzman Lopez. The notice did not offer any explanation.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez’s attorney, listed in online court records as Jeffrey Lichtman, said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that he was pleased with the decision “as it’s the correct one.”

“Joaquin and I are looking forward to resolving the charges against him,” Lichtman said.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez’s father is Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, former leader of the Sinaloa cartel. According to federal prosecutors, El Chapo smuggled mountains of cocaine and other drugs into the United States over 25 years. He was convicted in 2019 on multiple conspiracy counts and sentenced to life in a U.S. prison later that year.