Dallas prosecutors have announced they will not pursue the death penalty against Yordanis Cobos Martínez, a Cuban national charged with capital murder for the gruesome beheading of his motel manager in Texas. This information was reported by various media outlets on Thursday.
Cobos Martínez, aged 37, made his initial court appearance at the Frank Crowley courthouse in Dallas, as covered by Fox News. He stands accused of brutally decapitating Chandra Mouli "Bob" Nagamallaiah on September 10 in front of the victim's wife and child, and subsequently discarding the head in a trash bin. Despite the severity of the crime, which could warrant the death penalty under Texas Penal Code, the county's prosecution has opted not to seek it.
During a court session presided over by Judge Lela Mays, prosecutor Julie Johnson stated, "Based on our investigation and discussions, the state of Texas will not request the death penalty. However, we reserve the right to reconsider if unforeseen circumstances arise." Johnson further mentioned that a final decision will be communicated by January 8.
Fox News noted that this decision was not unexpected, especially since Cobos Martínez is not a U.S. citizen. Meanwhile, the defense team expressed the urgency of knowing whether their client would face the maximum penalty.
The Legal Defense's Strategy
Public defender Lalon "Clipper" Peale highlighted the necessity of hiring experts and conducting a thorough investigation, which could involve traveling to Cuba—Cobos Martínez's birthplace—to gather any mitigating evidence that might aid during the trial. Peale also proposed visiting other locations like California, where the defendant lived before moving to Texas, and did not rule out a psychiatric evaluation for Cobos Martínez.
"Obviously, he is not American. Mitigation efforts will need to be extensive, requiring travel to Cuba and other places. Therefore, substantial mitigation measures must be taken in this case," Peale explained, emphasizing that Dallas County taxpayers would bear these costs. A court date for Cobos Martínez's trial has not been set yet.
The Horrific Crime That Shocked Dallas
The murder of Chandra Mouli "Bob" Nagamallaiah, aged 50, took place on the morning of September 10 at the Downtown Suites Motel on Samuell Boulevard, near Interstate 30. According to the arrest affidavit, Cobos Martínez, an employee at the motel, was cleaning a room when Nagamallaiah instructed him and a coworker not to use a broken washing machine. This led to a confrontation, after which Cobos Martínez left, retrieved a machete, and attacked the manager.
Nagamallaiah attempted to flee, screaming for help, but Cobos Martínez pursued and eventually decapitated him. Witnesses recounted the terrifying scene, as the manager's wife and child tried to intervene but were pushed aside. The affidavit also describes how Cobos Martínez kicked Nagamallaiah's head and threw it into a dumpster afterward.
Police apprehended Cobos Martínez shortly after the incident, finding him with a bloody machete. He has been held in Dallas County Jail on a $1.25 million bond with an immigration hold since then.
A History of Crime and Controversy
At the time of the murder, Cobos Martínez had a criminal record in the U.S., including violent offenses in California, Florida, and Houston. In 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to 18 months for assaulting a woman in South Lake Tahoe, California, in 2017.
His criminal history also includes charges of indecency with a minor in Texas (which were dismissed) and vehicle theft in Florida (which did not result in prosecution). The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to deport him in early 2025, but Cuba refused to accept him, leading to his release on January 13 due to the unlikely prospect of future removal.
Following the murder, new allegations emerged from Cuba. Relatives of a man in Holguín province accused Cobos Martínez of killing him in 2008. They claimed he fatally stabbed Rolando Peña Almaguer during a dispute, but a family member took the blame to shield him from imprisonment, allowing him to leave Cuba years later.
Public Outcry and Political Reactions
The heinous act committed by Cobos Martínez has sparked outrage, with widespread calls for severe punishment. Former U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the migrant's actions and used the incident to criticize illegal immigration policies.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, "I'm aware of the horrific reports about Chandra Nagamallaiah's murder, a respected individual in Dallas, Texas, who was brutally beheaded in front of his family by an illegal alien from Cuba who should never have been in our country."
He pointed out Cobos Martínez's prior criminal offenses and vowed that his administration would not tolerate immigrants with crime records. "This person was previously arrested for heinous acts, including child sexual abuse and car theft, but was released back into our homeland under incompetent Joe Biden because Cuba didn't want such an evil person," Trump claimed.
From Cuba, the accused's mother, Odalis Martínez Rodríguez, expressed in an interview with Telemundo 51 that she recognized her son's wrongdoing and accepted that he must face justice. She revealed his mental health issues and her past attempts to have him repatriated for treatment, but the Cuban government refused to accept him.
She lamented, "I was hopeful because I thought he would return to Cuba, where I could care for him and seek medical help... but they didn't accept him." Cobos Martínez's grandmother also voiced her disapproval, urging him to repent for his actions before God, as the victim did not deserve such a fate.
Key Questions About the Dallas Murder Case
Why is the death penalty not being pursued in this case?
The Dallas prosecution decided not to pursue the death penalty after reviewing the case details and considering the defendant's non-citizen status. They have, however, reserved the right to change this decision if new information comes to light.
What are the potential penalties for Yordanis Cobos Martínez?
If convicted of capital murder, Yordanis Cobos Martínez could face life imprisonment without parole. The prosecution has chosen not to seek the death penalty, although this decision could change.
What are the implications of Cobos Martínez's criminal history?
Cobos Martínez's extensive criminal record, including convictions for violent crimes, will likely be considered during his trial. His past offenses have also fueled political debate and criticism regarding immigration policies.