This Thursday, a new preliminary hearing was held in the Miami-Dade County criminal court regarding the murder of the Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger.
Friends, acquaintances, and fans of the artist attended the session, who were hoping to gain updates on the case and find out if the prosecution would request the death penalty for the accused. However, the uncertainty remains.
Teresa Padrón, former manager of the deceased singer, explained that the prosecution has not yet made a decision regarding the death penalty.
“They asked whether they would be sentenced to death and were told that at this moment, no decision has been made, so no announcement will be given,” he declared before the press gathered at the site.
Padrón also pointed out that, although March 31 was mentioned as a possible date for the trial, after speaking with the prosecutor, he believes that it may change.
The lack of concrete information left a feeling of frustration among those present.
“I am super frustrated, as you can see”, Padrón expressed.
In the same vein, Jeffrey Jarquín, a fan of the artist and activist, expressed his discomfort with the situation: "We can't comment too much because it's a process, and we don't want to jeopardize it."
On Instagram, Padrón expressed his frustration over the direction events are taking and demanded justice in the case of El Taiger.
The businesswoman stated that she feels the authorities are intentionally delaying the process and are trying to prevent the case from gaining media attention.
"I have already contacted the prosecutor's office and I'm waiting for a call. I know how this country works, as I was born here; I know it will take time, but they are prolonging this to wear us out. They do not want this case to receive media attention!", he pointed out.
"José has no family here fighting for justice! Please support me, it's the only thing I ask, that we come together and all fight for the justice that José deserves!" she added.
Moreover, he pointed out the expense that the judicial process represents for the State, highlighting that the accused is not paying for his defense.
"You don't understand that all of this costs the State a lot of money! The murderer is not paying for a lawyer; the State is! The State has to pay everyone, including the jury. This process costs a lot of money, and the State is footing the bill for everything!" he added.
Finally, she made it clear that her activism does not seek the spotlight or generate controversy on social media, but rather to demand justice.
The accused continues to fail to appear before the court
Damián Valdez Galloso, accused of murdering El Taiger, did not appear at this hearing, either physically or virtually.
He has not done so in previous hearings either. His only appearance before the judge occurred after his arrest in New York and his extradition to Miami.
The 49-year-old Cuban is facing first-degree murder charges, which could result in the death penalty if the prosecution decides to seek it and the court finds him guilty.
Evidence and unanswered questions
So far, the most compelling evidence presented by the prosecution is a video from a surveillance camera that captured the crime. The footage shows the moment when El Taiger is shot and collapses. Afterwards, his body is dragged by Damian to a car.
That same vehicle, with the artist shot in the head, was abandoned near Jackson Memorial Hospital on October 3rd.
Despite medical efforts, he passed away a week later, on October 10, at the same hospital.
Despite the time that has passed, the case continues to affect his close circle and shock his followers.
The biggest mystery remains the motive for the crime.
However, beyond uncovering the reason behind the murder, the friends and fans of the reggaeton artist assert that they will continue to demand justice until his memory is honored.
Frequently Asked Questions about the El Taiger Murder Case
What is the current status of the legal case regarding El Taiger's murder?
The case is currently in a preliminary stage with hearings in the Miami-Dade criminal court. The prosecution has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty for Damián Valdez Galloso, the main defendant, who faces first-degree murder charges. Additionally, there is speculation about a possible change in the trial date, initially scheduled for March 31.
Why is there frustration among El Taiger's close associates regarding the judicial process?
Frustration arises due to the lack of concrete progress and clear decisions from the prosecution regarding whether the death penalty will be sought for the defendant. Furthermore, the defendant has not appeared at the most recent hearings, which has generated a feeling of helplessness among friends and fans of the artist.
What evidence has been presented against Damián Valdez Galloso?
The most compelling evidence presented so far is a surveillance camera video that captured the moment El Taiger was shot and subsequently dragged into a car by Valdez Galloso. This video has been central to the first-degree murder charges.
What actions has Teresa Padrón taken to demand justice?
Teresa Padrón has been very active in demanding justice for El Taiger, using her social media to express her frustration and insist that the case remains in the public eye. She has called for community support to push for a harsher charge and has questioned the delays in the judicial process.
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