Damian Valdez Galloso made another appearance this Wednesday at the Miami-Dade criminal court for a status hearing related to the murder case of Cuban reggaeton artist José Manuel Carvajal Zaldívar, also known as El Taiger.
Despite public court records hinting at a possible guilty plea, no such plea was entered, as reported by journalist Maylín Legañoa for Telemundo 51.
The defense attorney clarified that their team is still preparing for the case: "We are going to reassess our position from a defense standpoint to determine which witnesses we will present."
This stance differs from statements made by the same attorney in July, when he firmly stated that his client was not seeking any plea deals.
"He is an innocent man, and our goal is to defend him, not to reach agreements," he declared at that time.
The defense maintains that Valdez Galloso acted in self-defense and points to another individual as the one responsible for the shooting.
Upcoming Court Date: November 10
Following Wednesday's hearing, the judge set a new procedural date for November 10, 2026, as a follow-up milestone before the final trial.
The oral trial is still scheduled for March 2027, despite numerous delays in the process.
The original date was September 15, 2026, but it was postponed during the July hearing to early 2027, partly due to the complexity of coordinating evidence among three police departments: Miami, Hialeah, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.
Shift in Defendant's Demeanor
One of the most notable aspects of today's brief appearance was the change in Valdez Galloso's demeanor compared to his July 28 presentation.
During that July hearing, the accused appeared arrogant and smiled while speaking with his lawyer at the session's end, an attitude that upset the artist's followers and inner circle.
This Wednesday, however, he appeared notably more serious and handcuffed, with no sign of the defiant attitude from weeks prior.
El Taiger's eldest daughter, Yaliet Caridad Carvajal, expressed her pain after the July hearing in a social media post, stating that seeing the accused smiling "broke her heart."
Charges and Prosecution's Evidence
Valdez Galloso is facing three charges: first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The prosecution has decided not to seek the death penalty and is pursuing mandatory life imprisonment, with 15 to 20 witnesses expected for the trial.
Evidence includes security camera footage, DNA samples, over 1,200 forensic photographs, and a 911 call in which the accused allegedly pretended to be a witness who found the vehicle with the victim.
According to the prosecution, Valdez Galloso shot El Taiger in the forehead on October 3, 2024, in Hialeah, transported his body in a black Mercedes-Benz, and abandoned it in front of Jackson Memorial Hospital. The 37-year-old artist died seven days later at the same medical facility.
Teresa Padrón's Demand for Justice
Former manager of the reggaeton star, Teresa Padrón, has been a steadfast voice in the demand for justice and continues to maintain a memorial dedicated to El Taiger outside the hospital where the artist passed away.
Following the July hearing, Padrón acknowledged the emotional impact of seeing the accused in court: "Obviously, today was the first time Damian appeared physically in court, and like the first time, it has affected me greatly."
With the next hearing set for November 10, 2026, the path to the final trial in March 2027 progresses slowly, as El Taiger's family and fans await the arrival of justice.
As of this article's publication, Teresa Padrón has not commented on the September 2 appearance.
Key Questions About El Taiger's Murder Case
What are the charges against Damian Valdez Galloso?
Damian Valdez Galloso is facing charges of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
When is the final trial for El Taiger's murder case scheduled?
The final trial is scheduled for March 2027, following a series of delays and procedural hearings.
How has the defense responded to the charges?
The defense argues that Valdez Galloso acted in self-defense and has identified another individual as responsible for the shooting.