NEW YORK - Notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman made a second appearance in Brooklyn Federal Court on Friday, where his lawyers argued he is being treated unfairly while in custody in New York City.
A judge initially ruled that Guzman would appear in court by video rather than have marshals escort him to and from his high-security jail cell in Manhattan.
But Guzman's attorneys got the judge to reconsider.
In court, Guzman got to see his wife in person for the first time since he was extradited to the U.S.
He said nothing as he listened to lawyers and the judge with the help of a translator.
Prosecutors say they have tens of thousands of documents and wire taps on Guzman.
Guzman's attorney also argued he is being unfairly treated, with overly strict jail conditions and denied visits from his wife.
His lawyer says he was placed on lockdown for 23 hours in a special jail unit, and is questioning how the extradition was handled and if it was even legal.
"They would not leave us the papers, they would not allow us to review the papers unless Mr. Guzman signed them," said Michelle Gelernt, Guzman's attorney. "I can't imagine any lawyer in this circumstance who would allow Mr. Guzman to sign the document that he was not able to read, or that we were not able to review and advise him on."
Last month, Guzman pleaded not guilty to charges he ran a massive drug trafficking operation that oversaw murders and kidnappings.
He escaped from Mexican prisons twice before being captured and extradited to the U.S.
Judge Brian Cogan said that history of the defendant is so unusual that he is letting prison officials work out his security details.
Mexican authorities handed Guzman over to American authorities with the agreement that prosecutors will not seek the death penalty.
Prosecutors say Guzman should not be entitled to federal public defenders, given his billions of dollars of assets, which they want forfeited.
His cartel is reportedly responsible for 25 percent of all illegal drugs that enter the United States through Mexico.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 5.