The legal team representing Damian Valdez Galloso, who faces charges in the murder of Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger, has filed for a one-week delay of a status hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, in a Miami-Dade court.
While the prosecution did not object to this request, the judicial document released does not confirm whether the judge has approved the date change.
Filed on November 3 by defense attorney Ricardo P. Hermida, the motion cited a prior professional obligation requiring his presence at the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on November 9 and 10.
Journalist Daniel Benítez from Univision shared the legal motion on his social media channels.
The document, with registry number 260602037, is part of case file F24-23303, overseen by Judge Tinkler Mendez of Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
Request to Reschedule Hearing to November 17
The status hearing was set for November 10, 2026, at 9:15 a.m. However, due to Hermida's obligations in Texas, the defense requested to move it to the following Tuesday, November 17, at a time to be determined by the court.
The motion indicates that Hermida's commitments outside Florida prevent him from appearing in person at the Miami-Dade court.
The request only pertains to postponing the status hearing and does not seek to delay the trial or alter other procedural deadlines.
The prosecution expressed no opposition to the requested rescheduling. However, the motion shared by Benítez lacks a definitive ruling from the judge confirming the new date of November 17.
Charges Against Damian Valdez Galloso
Damian Valdez Galloso faces serious charges linked to the death of José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, known as El Taiger: first-degree murder, attempted tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty, asserting self-defense. His attorney has also questioned the investigators' account, implicating another individual in the shooting that led to the singer's death.
During a hearing on July 28, Hermida emphasized his strategy to prove his client's innocence at trial, ruling out any plea deals with the prosecution.
The prosecution has decided against seeking the death penalty. Nonetheless, a first-degree murder conviction could result in a life sentence without parole.
The Killing of El Taiger and the Legal Proceedings
According to police investigations, El Taiger was shot in the head during the early hours of October 3, 2024, at a residence in Hialeah, Florida.
Authorities claim Valdez Galloso shot the artist and then transported him in a black Mercedes-Benz to the vicinity of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
The singer remained in critical condition for a week before passing away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 37.
Damian Valdez Galloso was arrested on October 29 of that year in Brooklyn, New York, and subsequently transferred to Miami-Dade to face legal proceedings.
Initially charged with second-degree murder, the charges were elevated to first-degree murder in November 2024.
The case has encountered multiple delays, attributed in part to the extensive evidence and the necessary coordination among the various law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
During the July 28 hearing, it was revealed that the prosecution intends to call between 15 and 20 witnesses, along with security camera footage, DNA samples, and over 1,200 forensic photographs.
In the subsequent September 2 hearing, no plea agreement was reached, and the status hearing was set for November 10.
The defense's request does not independently alter the trial schedule, which is currently set for March 2027.
Key Details and Legal Questions in El Taiger Case
Why did Damian Valdez Galloso's attorney request a hearing delay?
The attorney, Ricardo P. Hermida, requested the delay due to a prior professional obligation requiring his presence in Texas on the original hearing dates.
What charges is Damian Valdez Galloso facing?
He faces first-degree murder, attempted tampering with evidence, and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with El Taiger's death.
Has the prosecution sought the death penalty in this case?
No, the prosecution has decided against pursuing the death penalty. However, a conviction could result in a life sentence without parole.
What evidence does the prosecution plan to present?
The prosecution plans to present witness testimonies, security footage, DNA evidence, and over 1,200 forensic photographs.