Defense dismisses threat of sniper attack

CHICAGO — Attorneys for a Mexican drug cartel lieutenant jailed in Chicago have dismissed claims a sniper could try to kill him if he's allowed onto a rooftop recreation area to exercise.

Defense lawyers for Vicente Zambada responded to that claim by U.S. prosecutors in a Friday court filing.

The 35-year-old is awaiting trial on drug-trafficking charges and he hasn't been allowed outside once in the year and a half since his extradition.

Prosecutors argue someone atop a nearby skyscraper could try to assassinate Zambada or that he could attempt an escape from atop the 27-story jail.

The defense says those notions derive more from Hollywood drama than from genuine concern.

A federal judge is scheduled to rule on a defense request to let Zambada outside during a pretrial hearing Wednesday.