Recently unveiled footage from the interrogation of Damián Valdez Galloso surfaced on Wednesday, revealing the accused being confronted by law enforcement. Journalist Javier Díaz shared an image of Damián asleep prior to his questioning, noting that he was given a slice of pizza because he was hungry.
Throughout the intense three-hour interrogation, Damián appears visibly exhausted but firmly denies killing the reggaeton artist. In a critical segment of the video, investigators present surveillance footage that challenges his initial claim that El Taiger had entered the house alone. Upon viewing the footage, Valdez asserts the video was altered, contending that a police officer accompanied the singer that night. "The door never opened," he insists. "The person who came to my house with him was a cop," he claims. The investigator sarcastically retorts, "So it was me?"
On Monday, journalist Javier Díaz released previously unseen clips of Valdez Galloso's interrogation on Noticias 23 Univisión, recorded mere hours after his October 2024 arrest. In the footage, Valdez repeatedly declares his innocence: "You all know I didn't kill him. You're clear I didn't kill him," he states, visibly agitated.
Valdez maintains that El Taiger was not alone when he arrived at his residence that night, but was accompanied by two men. According to Valdez, one stayed outside while the other entered with the artist. He claims the reggaeton star came to ask for $20,000 despite already owing him $18,000. While Valdez went to get water or use the bathroom, he left El Taiger talking with his companion and returned to find him injured: "I saw him lying on the porch, bleeding... I ran out and told the girl, 'Let's go, I think something happened to José there.'"
Valdez denies cleaning blood at the scene, although court documents confirmed biological traces and evidence of a close-range shooting were found at the location. The defense, however, argues that another armed individual was the true perpetrator of the crime.
A pivotal element in the case is the 911 call Valdez made in the early hours of the incident, reporting an "accident" after leaving El Taiger's body at a hospital entrance. The audio, circulated by U.S. media outlets, captures a tense man, yet he does not directly admit to any wrongdoing.
Following multiple delays, the trial date has been set for September 15. The defense has raised concerns about alleged inconsistencies in the case file, potentially prolonging the proceedings further.
Key Questions Surrounding Damián Valdez's Interrogation
What new evidence was revealed in Damián Valdez's interrogation video?
The interrogation video showed Damián Valdez being presented with surveillance footage contradicting his initial claims about El Taiger's entry into the house. Valdez insisted the video was manipulated and that a police officer accompanied El Taiger.
What did Damián Valdez claim about the events on the night of El Taiger's murder?
Valdez claimed El Taiger arrived with two men, one of whom entered the house with the artist. He asserted that while he was away momentarily, he returned to find El Taiger injured and did not clean any blood from the scene.
When is the trial for the murder of El Taiger scheduled?
The trial is scheduled to begin on September 15, following several procedural delays.