DALLAS – Yordanis Cabos-Martinez pleaded not guilty Tuesday in connection with the alleged beheading of his former co-worker Chandra Nagamallaiah during an altercation at a Downtown Suites motel.
According to court documents, Cabos-Martinez and Nagamallaiah were employed at the Samuell Boulevard location. On September 10th, police reported they became involved in an argument on the premises. A witness described the scene: “I was cleaning a room with Cobos-Martinez when Nagamallaiah came to tell us not to use that particular washing machine,” the motel employee told authorities.
The details of what transpired next were stark and disturbing. The witness continued, reporting that Cabos-Martinez grew agitated after Nagamallaiah had directed communication toward him without addressing him directly in English: “He got upset because I translated for him instead of speaking to [Cabos-Martinez] directly.”
Following this exchange, video evidence reportedly shows Cabos-Martinez retrieving a hidden machete and attacking Nagamallaiah. The victim is said to have been still under assault when he ran toward the motel office where his family was waiting.
An anonymous witness later confirmed: “He chased him from Room 108 all the way to the office. That’s when things escalated, and everyone saw what happened.”
The detective involved in the case stated that Nagamallaiah’s wife and son attempted multiple times to separate their father from the attack but were rebuffed by Cabos-Martinez.
After sustaining fatal injuries, Nagamallaiah allegedly retrieved his cell phone and keys before resuming violence against the decapitated body until it was removed from its neck. The suspect then reportedly kicked the victim’s head twice into the parking lot before placing it in a dumpster.
Prosecutors have not ruled out seeking the death penalty. District Attorney Julie Johnson confirmed they are investigating the possibility: “Based on our investigation, we will consider all potential charges, including capital punishment.”
Cabos-Martinez was remanded to county jail pending further court proceedings. His defense attorney noted that if this case is treated as a capital offense, it would require extensive preparation and potentially an investigation in Cuba, his country of origin.
This incident represents one of the most heinous crimes investigated by local authorities in recent years, prompting questions about immigration policy despite the rarity with which such events occur among non-citizen residents.