The Simon Trinidad case just goes to show that someone accused of belonging to a terrorist organization and distributing thousands of kilos of cocaine can still receive a fair trial in Washington D.C. or elsewhere. Trinidad was accused of being a high-ranking member of a large scale terrorist organization (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC), that also trafficked cocaine. People should be encouraged by this event.
In December, 2004, Trinidad was extradited to the United States. He was prosecuted in 2006, but a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict which resulted in a mistrial. Trinidad was tried again in 2007, and again the jury was unable to reach a verdict on four of the five charges against him which resulted in a partial mistrial.
This trial should give every Latino heart. It is simply wrong to think that because you are a Latino accused of drag trafficking, an American jury will convict you. Do not make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on the evidence or lack thereof and do not lose faith in the American jury system. A jury is comprised of the only people who really care about giving the defendant the benefit of the doubt.