Teresa Padrón, who was once the manager and a close friend of the late El Taiger, expressed her outrage over Damian Valdez Galloso's behavior during his interrogation after being apprehended in New York. Padrón, a pivotal figure in the quest for justice for the murdered artist, believes Damian was caught off guard by unexpected surveillance footage. Despite this, he stubbornly clings to his implausible story.
"I think he didn't expect this video. Even after seeing it, he sticks to his story. Maybe he's even trying to convince himself it’s true," Teresa stated in a recent interview with journalist Javier Díaz for Univision. When asked about her reaction to Damian's demeanor and gestures, Teresa was unequivocal.
"It infuriates me. I can't watch it all because it makes me so angry; I can't believe someone could laugh like that…," she exclaimed. "You took the life of the man you claimed was like a brother to you," she concluded, referring to the chilling demeanor of someone who was supposedly close to the victim.
In an Instagram story, Teresa reaffirmed that her pain will not fade with time and her fight for justice is relentless. "I will not tire of demanding justice for José. Not today, not tomorrow, not any day," she vowed, a firm promise of remembrance and resistance. "Even if justice is served, nothing will repair the damage or bring back what he was," she added, highlighting that no punishment could truly compensate for the loss caused by the crime.
With sorrow, she admitted that the perpetrator "will never pay, not even with his life, for what he did to José." Nevertheless, she insists on pursuing legal justice to ensure the case does not remain unresolved.
Beyond the trial, Teresa also made a passionate plea for the release of El Taiger's artistic legacy. She finds it unacceptable that his work remains silent after his death: "I can't understand how, at this point, his work is still shelved, silenced, while others profit from what he created."
Unexpected Developments in the Murder Case
The investigation into the murder of Cuban reggaeton artist José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar took a dramatic turn with the release of Damian Valdez-Galloso's police interrogation, the sole suspect in the crime. Over the course of three hours, Valdez-Galloso not only failed to deny his involvement but also made serious allegations against the Miami police, claiming an officer was implicated.
Damian went as far as to allege that authorities manipulated security footage from a neighboring home in Hialeah, a key piece of evidence against him. During his interrogation in New York, conducted 19 days after the murder on October 3, 2024, Valdez-Galloso remained defiant against the evidence presented by detectives.
He repeatedly asserted that the footage did not depict the truth and boldly declared, "You all know I didn't kill him." One of the most intense moments occurred when Valdez-Galloso claimed that El Taiger arrived at his home with a man he alleged was a police officer, who he says was omitted from the recordings. This omission, according to his testimony, prompted him to leave Miami after the incident. "I knew someone in the police was involved in this," he asserted in a controversial statement.
Facing Serious Charges
Damian Valdez-Galloso has been formally charged with first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and illegal possession of a firearm. The trial is set to begin in September. The severity of the charges escalated when Miami prosecutors upgraded the charge from second-degree to first-degree murder on November 27, 2024, indicating that they believe the crime was premeditated. He has been ordered to remain in custody without bail since early November.
Key Questions Surrounding El Taiger's Murder Case
What evidence is crucial in the case against Damian Valdez?
The critical evidence against Damian Valdez includes surveillance footage from a neighboring house in Hialeah, which is believed to implicate him in the crime.
What are Teresa Padrón's views on justice for El Taiger?
Teresa Padrón is adamant that justice must be served for El Taiger, vowing never to relent in her demands for accountability. She emphasizes that legal justice is essential, even if it cannot fully compensate for the loss.
What accusations has Damian Valdez made against the authorities?
Damian Valdez has accused the Miami police of manipulating evidence and suggested that an officer was involved in the crime, claims that have added complexity to the case.