On Wednesday, Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales shared new insights into the murder investigation of Cuban reggaeton artist José Manuel Carbajal, better known as El Taiger. Morales expressed confidence that they possess adequate evidence to secure a guilty verdict against the accused killer.
During an appearance on "Virtual Encounter" with journalist Gloria Ordaz from Telemundo 51, Morales assured that the police and the District Attorney's office have compiled substantial evidence against the suspect, Damián Valdez-Galloso. His comments addressed circulating speculations that the defense might claim self-defense. Morales firmly stated that such a defense is unsupported by the current evidence.
"There is no possibility of claiming self-defense here. In Florida, you have the right to defend your home, but the evidence does not support that scenario. This was a clear-cut murder, a crime that cannot be denied. We are confident, along with the detectives on the case, that we will achieve a guilty verdict," Morales asserted.
Key Interview and Evidence Withheld
Morales highlighted that the initial interview with Valdez-Galloso, which has yet to be released, is crucial to determining whether the murder was an act of self-defense or a premeditated crime. "This interview is essential to clarify the case details; hence, we have not disclosed all the information," he explained.
Besides the interview, two videos and cellphone records remain undisclosed to protect the ongoing investigation, Morales noted. Regarding the possibility of upgrading the charges to First-Degree Murder, he mentioned that authorities have not yet found proof of premeditation, with current evidence supporting a charge of Second-Degree Murder.
“The evidence is robust, both videographic and physical, involving two individuals—the attacker and the victim,” Morales elaborated.
Details of the Crime
Discussing the nature of the murder, Morales described how the fatal shot that ended El Taiger's life was delivered at close range, with the victim facing his killer. "The shot was fired head-on, indicating that El Taiger was face-to-face with his assailant," Morales noted.
He also mentioned that a young woman was present in the house at the time of the murder, though she did not participate in the incident.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Valdez-Galloso, who had been on the run since October 3, was apprehended on Tuesday in New York, where he had been staying in a hostel without any outside assistance, Morales revealed. "He was renting a room in a New York hostel, and no one was aiding him," he stated, highlighting the cooperation between Miami and New York police that led to the arrest.
Morales also dismissed rumors suggesting that El Taiger might have been tortured before his death, clarifying that “there is no evidence of torture.” The official stance remains that the reggaeton artist was murdered, and the crime, though still under investigation, lacks justification.
The case, which has deeply affected both the Cuban community and the music industry, is still being investigated. El Taiger, a prominent figure in Cuban urban music, was pronounced dead on October 10, seven days after being found with a gunshot wound by Valdez-Galloso outside Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
This week, Valdez-Galloso was transferred to Miami-Dade to face charges for the crime, which took place in a rental home in Hialeah.