In a case that has captured attention, the trial of a man accused of placing a bounty on the life of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is proceeding swiftly in a Chicago courtroom. The proceedings, which began with jury selection on Tuesday, saw testimony start and conclude within a single day on Wednesday.

Adrian Jimenez, a key figure in this trial, took the witness stand Wednesday morning, his noticeable limp marking his entrance into the courtroom. Jimenez, who is central to the prosecution’s case, is the individual who received the pivotal Snapchat message that has brought these serious allegations to court. As a seasoned government informant, Jimenez acknowledged his history of being compensated for information. However, he clarified that he received no payment related to this particular case.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

During the trial, prosecutors played a segment of a recorded interview in which the defendant, Juan Espinoza-Martinez, can be heard firmly denying any intent to target Commander Bovino. This crucial piece of evidence underscores Espinoza-Martinez’s claims of innocence regarding the alleged plot.

The longtime government informant admitted Wednesday he’s been paid for his information in the past. But, he says that did not happen this time.

Playing a portion of his recorded interview for the court, prosecutors showed Juan Espinoza-Martinez repeatedly denying that he ever intended to put a hit on Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.

“I’m not hiring anybody. I don’t know anybody who does that. I’ve never done anything like that,” said Espinoza-Martinez as he answered investigators questions on October 4, a day after being arrested for sending a Snapchat message to a construction company owner he occasionally did work for.

A screenshot of the Snapchat message showed the following words:
“2K on information when you get him.”
“10K if u take him down.”
“LK on him.”

The message, accompanied by a picture of Bovino, forms the basis of the government’s prosecution of Espinoza-Martinez, who is charged with one count of murder for hire. “LK,” by Espinoza-Martinez’s own admission, means Latin Kings. However, sending the Snapchat message is not enough to convict.

“This case turns almost entirely on the question of intent,” ABC7 Chief Legal Analyst Gil Soffer said. “Did this defendant intend to solicit murder?”

Because Snapchat messages disappear, investigators have no follow-up to that message, only the one picture of the telephone screen provided by their witness.

Defense attorney Dena Singer elicited an exchange on cross-examination:
“You’re not someone who commits murder for hire right?” Singer asked.
“No,” Jimenez responded.
“Juan never said to you, hey why don’t you go do this?” Singer asked.
“No,” Jimenez answered.

The prosecution’s case has been made much more difficult after Judge Joan Lefkow forbade them from asking Espinoza-Martinez about any gang affiliation or even affinity. It came after the government, which initially claimed the 37-year-old was a ranking member of the Latin Kings, backed off of that premise entirely.

In court Wednesday, prosecutors did introduce several additional messages and social media posts in which Espinoza-Martinez is clearly referring to immigration enforcement operations in Chicago. In one, he appears to be alluding to the bounty on Bovino, but only indirectly.

“It’s an aggressive case for sure and the government is taking a greater risk with this case than it often does,” Soffer said. “There is not a lot of corroboration. There is no follow up. There is not a lot of witness testimony.”

While Espinoza-Martinez has never denied sending any of the messages, he has maintained from the beginning that he was just repeating neighborhood gossip.

The case is expected to wrap up Thursday.