New images from the interrogation of Damián Valdez Galloso were released on Wednesday, showing the accused being confronted by the police.
The journalist shared a picture of Damián sleeping before the interview with the researcher, and claimed that they gave him a piece of pizza because he was hungry.
During the interrogation, which lasted more than three hours, Damián appears visibly exhausted but maintains that he did not kill the reggaeton artist.
In a key part of the video, the researchers show him the surveillance footage that contradicts his initial claim that El Taiger had entered the residence.
Upon watching the video, Valdez claims that the recording was manipulated and that the singer was accompanied by a police officer that night.
"The door never opened," he insists. "The one who came to my house with him was a police officer," he says.
The agent confronts him directly: "So it was me?" he replies with irony.
This Monday, journalist Javier Díaz revealed exclusive excerpts from the interrogation of Valdez Galloso, the main suspect in the crime, recorded just hours after his arrest in October 2024, on Noticias 23 Univisión.
In the video, Valdez insists time and again on his innocence: “You all know that I didn’t kill him. You’re all clear that I didn’t kill him,” he states, visibly agitated.
He claims that El Taiger did not arrive alone at his house that night, but was accompanied by two men. One of them, he said, stayed outside, while the other entered the home with the artist. According to his account, the reggaeton artist went to ask for $20,000, despite already owing $18,000.
While he went to get water or to the bathroom, he claims he left El Taiger talking with his companion, and when he returned, he found him injured: “I see him lying in the doorway, covered in blood... I run out, I tell the girl: ‘Let’s go, I think something happened to José there.’”
Damián denies having cleaned up blood at the scene of the crime, but court documents confirmed that biological traces and evidence consistent with a close-range shooting were found in the home. The defense, however, maintains that another armed individual was the actual perpetrator of the crime.
One of the central elements of the case is the 911 call made by Valdez in the early hours of the incident, in which he reported an "accident" after leaving El Taiger's body at the entrance of a hospital.
The audio, which circulated in U.S. media, shows a nervous man, but he does not admit direct responsibility.
After several procedural delays, the trial date has been set for September 15.
The defense has questioned alleged inconsistencies in the file, which could further prolong the process.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Damián Valdez and the murder of El Taiger
What does Damián Valdez claim about his involvement in the murder of El Taiger?
Damián Valdez maintains that he is innocent and that he did not shoot the Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger. He claims that El Taiger came to his house accompanied by two men to ask for a loan, and that when he returned from getting water, he found him injured. He insists that he himself took the artist to the hospital and called 911.
What evidence have the authorities presented against Damián Valdez?
The authorities have presented surveillance footage that allegedly shows Damián Valdez shooting El Taiger in the head and dragging his body to a vehicle. Additionally, biological traces and evidence of a shooting were found in his home.
Why isn't the Prosecutor's Office seeking the death penalty for Damián Valdez?
The Miami Dade Prosecutor's Office has decided not to seek the death penalty for Damián Valdez-Galloso, despite the calls for justice from El Taiger's supporters. Although they have not provided specific details regarding this decision, they have stated that they will seek a life sentence for the accused.
When will the trial against Damián Valdez take place?
The trial against Damián Valdez is scheduled to begin on September 15, after several delays due to the defense's claims regarding inconsistencies in the file.
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