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A jury of seven people —four men and three women— found Cuban reggaeton artist Yosvanis Sierra Hernández, known artistically as Chocolate MC, guilty of the charge of “writing or publishing direct threats” against Damián Valdez Galloso.
According to journalist Javier Díaz from Univisión 23, the Miami prosecution presented as a key piece of evidence a video in which the artist claims to have enough money to arrange the murder of Valdez Galloso "in prison".
With the verdict already issued, the process enters the phase of determining the sentence before Judge Milton Hirsch, who had indicated that the penalty framework could extend to life imprisonment.
Damián Valdez Galloso has been accused of the death of the Cuban musician "El Tiger," a context that, in the opinion of the prosecution, underscores the seriousness of the threat made by the artist in the video presented to the jury.
The family of Cuban reggaeton artist Yosvanis Sierra had presented a video to the courts in which the artist himself admits to having used drugs since he was 16, a piece that was included as evidence in the case he is facing.
According to the material released by the journalist Javier Díaz himself, the goal of those close to him was to document the singer's history of drug use amid the ongoing trial.
In the recording, the reggaeton artist states: “I have been using crack since I was 16,” and specifies that he was admitted to the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana (Mazorra), particularly in the “wall room,” a space where—he points out—“Maradona was also admitted,” thus establishing a precedent of psychiatric care prior to his current legal situation. The family emphasizes this information to strengthen the timeline and the persistence of his addiction.
The relatives presented the video as direct testimony from the accused regarding his early consumption and his mental health episodes, aspects they deemed relevant to understanding his personal journey.
The trial against the reggaeton artist began this Monday in Miami amidst significant media attention, marked by a stern warning from the presiding judge regarding death threats against Valdez.
During the first hearing, Judge Milton Hirsch warned Chocolate that, if found guilty by the jury, he could face a life sentence, local media reported.
According to witnesses present, the judge explicitly asked him if he understood the seriousness of the legal situation he was facing. Chocolate, visibly serious, responded that he did.
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