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The mother of Yordanis Cobos-Martínez, the 37-year-old Cuban accused of beheading the manager of a motel in Dallas in front of his wife and child, recognizes that her son did something horrible and that he must pay for it.
From Cuba, Odalis Martínez Rodríguez spoke with Telemundo 51 and stated that her son was suffering from mental health issues.
He also emphasized that, although the crime committed by Yordanis cannot be justified in any way, he was a victim of labor exploitation in the business where he worked and lived in precarious conditions in the motel, "like a dog."
He himself told me: "Mommy, I'm a robot, I work and work and they don't pay me," he detailed.
The mother reported that months ago, after her son was released from prison in the United States, she requested repatriation from the International Red Cross, hoping to provide him with medical care in Cuba.
However, she claims that the Cuban regime refused to accept him. "I was happy because I thought I was arriving in Cuba; I was coming to take care of him, to take him to the doctors... but they did not accept him," she questioned.
Odalis denied reports linking him to murders in Cuba and asserted that his son had "gone mad" after leaving Cuba.
Despite his pain, he acknowledged the magnitude of the crime: "He had mental problems since he arrived in the United States. Here in Cuba, he never had issues. He changed after prison. But what he did was horrible; he has to pay for that."
The accused's grandmother also spoke from the Island with a message of resignation and faith: "May he repent of what he did before God, because that family man did not deserve to die like this."
An atrocious crime in Dallas
Last Wednesday, Cobos-Martínez attacked Chandra Nagamallaiah, manager of the Downtown Suites Motel, with a machete in Old East Dallas. The assault occurred following a work-related argument.
The assailant chased his boss to the office, where his wife and child were present, and there he decapitated him. A surveillance video shows how he kicked the victim's head and then threw it into a garbage container.
He was arrested shortly after, while walking bloodied down the street, still holding the machete in his hand. The police apprehended him without firing a shot, and he confessed to the crime during the interrogation.
He is currently being held without bail in the Dallas County jail.
A violent history and the migration controversy
Cobos-Martínez had a long criminal record in the United States: car theft, kidnapping, child sexual abuse, and violation of probation, among others.
After serving multiple sentences, he was released in January 2025 under supervision, as the Cuban regime refuses to accept nationals with violent backgrounds.
The case sparked a political storm. President Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of irresponsibility: "This crime could have been prevented. This individual should never have been in our country. He was released because Cuba does not accept bad characters."
Relatives add that Cobos is said to have committed at least two murders in Cuba before emigrating (his mother denies it), and that he once mutilated a man during a fight.
A testimony collected by journalist Javier Díaz indicates that two brothers went to confront Cobos Martínez regarding the theft of two animals, and he responded by attacking them with a machete, resulting in the death of one of them.
Allegedly, an ex-convict uncle took the blame to prevent his nephew from going to jail. That man would still be serving time for that case, which is why Yordanis was released.
Consternation in the community
The victim, of Indian origin, was a respected and hard-working man who planned to travel in October to visit his parents in Andhra Pradesh. His wife and his 18-year-old son witnessed the crime, which has caused immense shock.
The Indo-American community in Texas has shown strong support for the victim's family, raising over $200,000 to cover funeral expenses and support the education of the child.
Nagamallaiah's funeral took place this Saturday with a large attendance.
The case not only exposed the brutality of the crime but also highlighted the failures of the U.S. immigration system and the Cuban regime's refusal to accept the repatriation of its citizens with violent backgrounds, leading to a significant political and social debate in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Accused of Murder in Texas
Who is Yordanis Cobos-Martínez and what crime did he commit?
Yordanis Cobos-Martínez is a Cuban citizen accused of beheading the manager of a motel in Dallas, Texas. The crime, committed with a machete, took place in front of the victim's wife and son, Chandra Nagamallaiah. Cobos-Martínez was arrested shortly after the incident.
What is the criminal history of Yordanis Cobos-Martínez in the United States?
Cobos-Martínez has a criminal record in the U.S. that includes car theft, kidnapping, assault, and child sexual abuse. These charges, along with his recent murder accusation, have sparked intense debate over immigration policies in the U.S.
Why was Yordanis Cobos-Martínez free despite his criminal record?
Cobos-Martínez was released in January 2025 because the Cuban regime refused to take him back. This refusal forced U.S. authorities to supervise him while he was at liberty, an action that has been heavily criticized following the murder in Dallas.
What impact has the case had on U.S. immigration policies?
The case has reopened the debate on public safety and deportation policies for immigrants with criminal records. The Trump administration has used the case to justify the deportation of undocumented individuals to third countries, despite criticism for violating fundamental human rights.
What has been the reaction of the victim's family and the Indo-American community?
The victim's family, as well as the Indo-American community in Texas, have expressed their grief and solidarity. A fundraising campaign has been organized, which has raised over $200,000 to cover funeral expenses and support the education of Nagamallaiah's son.
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