From FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth · Shaun Rabb · · 2m
Dallas beheading trial delayed months away
Capital murder case against Cuban national stalled by visa delays and investigation gaps.
In brief
Capital murder case against Cuban national stalled by visa delays and investigation gaps. Yordanis Cobos-Martinez won't face trial until late spring or summer at earliest, as his defense team struggles with Cuba travel restrictions and unresolved investigative issues. Originally reported by FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort…
Beheading suspect faces capital murder charge
Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a Cuban national, is accused of decapitating his co-worker Chandra Nagamallaiah at a Dallas motel in September 2025. He admitted to the killing, according to arrest documents.
No death penalty will be sought
Dallas County prosecutors announced they will not pursue capital punishment against Cobos-Martinez. The final decision was expected in January.
Trial pushed to late spring or summer
No firm trial date has been set. At the earliest, the case will go to trial in late spring or early summer, leaving months of delay ahead.
Cuba visa delays block defense investigation
Defense attorney Lalon Peale said he cannot travel to Cuba to investigate his client's background because visa applications face a six-month wait. He cited this as a major obstacle to trial preparation.
“It's not just the flights, though, it's the visas to get there. And as the state now knows, it's a six-month wait to do that.”
Defense team has major investigation gaps
Peale told the court the defense still has a "huge hole" in their investigation but declined to elaborate publicly. He indicated there are additional issues being discussed in private chambers.
“We still have a huge hole in our investigation.”
Suspect had violent criminal history
Cobos-Martinez was convicted in California in 2023 for carjacking a woman while naked in 2017. He also had arrests in Florida and Houston, plus an active California probation violation warrant at the time of the murder.
ICE released him despite deportation order
ICE released Cobos-Martinez from custody in January despite an active removal order, citing no significant likelihood of removal. Cuba's refusal to accept deportations made removal impossible under Biden administration policies.
Attack unfolded at motel in broad daylight
Cobos-Martinez attacked Nagamallaiah with a machete after becoming angry about how his boss communicated with him. The victim's wife and son tried to help but were pushed away. Cobos-Martinez decapitated him and disposed of his head in a dumpster.
The one thing
Yordanis Cobos-Martinez won't face trial until late spring or summer at earliest, as his defense team struggles with Cuba travel restrictions and unresolved investigative issues.
