Odalis Hernández, mother of the Cuban reggaeton artist Yosvanis Sierra Hernández, known as Chocolate MC, reacted with pain and indignation following the guilty verdict issued by a jury in Miami, which found the artist guilty of the offense of “writing or publishing direct threats” against Damián Valdez Galloso, who is accused of the death of the musician El Taiger.
In an interview with journalist Javier Díaz, the artist's mother stated that her son is not violent nor a murderer, and that the judicial process was unfair. "My son doesn’t have a dime. My son, even if he had it, wouldn’t harm a fly, and everyone knows that. My son is no murderer," she expressed, clearly distressed.
Odalis Hernández believes that her son is being unjustly accused and that his life is in danger following the court ruling. She insisted that the process has been painful for the entire family and that she cannot accept the jury's decision. “I am feeling very bad; my chest tightens because this is an injustice,” she said.
The woman explained that from the beginning of the process, she had provided the lawyer with medical documents that verified the reggaeton artist's mental health and addiction history. “From the start, I gave the lawyer the summaries of the medical records. He was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, in Mazorra, in the Paredes room. With all that evidence, we hoped for a favorable outcome,” she shared.
Hernández criticized the performance of the defense attorney and stated that he presented none of the evidence she had provided. "My son told me that the lawyer put on a terrible defense, to say the least, or if I may say, none at all. While the prosecutors spoke for thirty minutes, he spoke for three, if that. My son saw him writing in a notebook and, at the end, hugging the prosecutor. I don't understand that, I don't understand why."
According to his testimony, the trial was "manipulated" and his son did not have adequate defense. "It was an unfair trial. I provided medical reports and a statement from the pediatrician who has attended to him since he was little, because my son has always had psychosocial problems, not to be judged with such severity."
Regarding the video presented by the prosecution, in which the artist appeared to say he had money to pay for Damián Valdez's death, the mother insisted that her son did not have those means and that what he said on social media was part of his persona. "My son didn't have money. What he said about having a million dollars was part of the showbiz. He treated social media like a game. My son has the heart of a child; he has struggles with his mind and with drugs. It's an injustice."
Odalis Hernández explained that she is searching for a new lawyer and will seek public assistance to pay for her defense. “I don't have the means or the way to finance a criminal lawyer, but I will not accept this injustice. I will fight with all the strength I have left because my son needs treatment, not punishment.”
He also stated that his son had asked for help to enter rehabilitation and that the family has a video to prove it, like the material where he himself admits to his use since he was 16 years old. “My son wanted to enter so that he could receive treatment. The place they took him to smelled of urine, it was not suitable, and yet he wanted to stay. But they asked for money that we did not have. How could he have money to kill Damián?” he said.
Through tears, she insisted that her son is ill and that what he needs is treatment. "I am aware of everything that has happened; I am not justifying anything, but it must be taken into account that my son is very sick from drug use. What they have just done to my son is an injustice, and I will not accept it," she stated.
The jury that found Chocolate MC guilty consisted of four men and three women. The prosecution presented as key evidence a video in which the artist offered $100,000 to arrange the murder of Damián Valdez from prison. The defense argued that the material did not reflect a real threat, but rather an impulsive and emotional expression from an artist struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Judge Milton Hirsch warned that the charge could carry a sentence of life in prison, and the sentencing will be announced in the coming days.
The case has sparked a strong reaction in the Cuban music world. La Diosa, who attended the trial as a witness, expressed her regret at not being able to testify freely and asserted that Chocolate is not a killer, but a sick man who needs help. She also revealed details of her testimony and the reggaeton artist's attempts at rehabilitation in a subsequent interview.
The artist's girlfriend, Yelena Ramírez, reacted to the verdict by stating that “he has not killed anyone” and described the process as unjust. For his part, the reggaeton artist Yomil Hidalgo surprised many by expressing empathy with a message on social media: “You don’t deserve that sentence”.
The presenter Alex Otaola stated that the singer "did not take advantage of the opportunities that this country offered him," although he acknowledged his illness and the need for medical attention.
The case is currently in the sentencing phase, under the supervision of Judge Milton Hirsch, who is expected to issue the final judgment in the coming days. In the meantime, the reggaeton artist's mother is calling for a review of the process: “My son is not a murderer; he needs treatment."
Filed under:
