A federal judge suspended the terrorism trial for the "Black Thursday" attacks in Ciudad Juarez for 12 business days [1].
The suspension exceeds the legal limit of 10 business days [2]. This delay impacts a case seeking justice for attacks that left 11 people dead [3].
Federal Judge Victoria Alejandra Espinoza Lanif ordered the pause, citing a vacation period that began Aug. 17 [1]. Under the law, the maximum allowable suspension for such proceedings is 10 business days [2]. By extending the break to 12 business days, the court has surpassed the statutory threshold [1].
The trial involves defendants Juan Carlos "B" and Jorge Anto [1]. The proceedings aim to clarify the events of "Black Thursday," a series of violent attacks that occurred nearly four years ago [4]. Those attacks resulted in 11 deaths [3].
The legal proceedings have faced significant delays since the events took place [4]. The current suspension adds further time to a process that has already spanned several years.
Court officials have not provided further comment on whether the excess of the legal limit will result in a procedural challenge by the defense or prosecution. The case remains one of the most high-profile terrorism trials in the region due to the scale of the 2022 violence [3].
“The suspension exceeds the legal limit of 10 business days.”
The suspension of this trial beyond the legal limit highlights the procedural fragility of high-stakes terrorism cases in Mexico. When a judge exceeds statutory time limits for a suspension—even for personal leave—it creates a potential legal opening for the defense to argue that the defendants' right to a speedy trial has been violated, potentially jeopardizing the prosecution of the 'Black Thursday' attacks.
