ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) – The latest on a competency hearing for former professional wrestling star Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, accused of killing his girlfriend in 1983 (all times local):
5 p.m.
Prosecutors are trying to show former professional wrestling star Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka is mentally competent to stand trial in Pennsylvania in the death of his girlfriend more than three decades ago.
Lehigh County prosecutors played a video showing the 72-year-old Snuka in the wrestling ring as recently as last year. Another video shows him giving an interview in which he appears lucid and in character.
The videos were played Friday during cross-examination of a defense psychologist who says Snuka suffers from dementia and is mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Snuka is a Fiji native and lives in Waterford Township, New Jersey. He’s attending the court hearing.
He’s charged with murder and involuntary manslaughter in the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino, who was from New York. He has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer has called Argentino’s death an “unfortunate accident.”
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3:20 p.m.
A psychologist says former professional wrestling star Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka suffers from dementia and is mentally incompetent to stand trial in Pennsylvania in the death of his girlfriend more than three decades ago.
Dr. Frank Dattilio (dah-TIL’-ee-oh) testified for the defense at Snuka’s competency hearing in Allentown on Friday.
He says Snuka suffered numerous blows to the head during his long professional wrestling career, including getting a coconut smashed on his head. He also says Snuka has a history of alcohol and drug abuse. He says Snuka has permanent brain damage and his condition is deteriorating rapidly.
Snuka is a Fiji native and lives in Waterford Township, New Jersey. He’s attending the court hearing.
Snuka is charged with murder and involuntary manslaughter in the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino, who was from New York. He has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer has called Argentino’s death an “unfortunate accident.”
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2:30 p.m.
A Pennsylvania judge is hearing testimony on whether former professional wrestling star Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka is mentally competent to stand trial in the death of his girlfriend more than three decades ago.
Snuka is charged with murder and involuntary manslaughter in the 1983 death of 23-year-old Nancy Argentino, who was from New York. Snuka has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer has called Argentino’s death an “unfortunate accident.”
Defense attorney Robert Kirwan II says the 72-year-old Snuka has early onset dementia and post-concussion syndrome. He says the former WWE star doesn’t understand the charges or even know he was arrested.
Snuka is in the courtroom for Friday’s hearing in Allentown. He lives in Camden County, New Jersey.
Argentino was found dead after authorities were called to the hotel room she was sharing with Snuka. An autopsy determined she died of brain trauma.
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12:10 a.m.
A Pennsylvania judge is set to hear testimony Friday on whether former professional wrestling star Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka is mentally competent to stand trial in the death of his mistress more than three decades ago.
Snuka is charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the 1983 death of 23-year-old Nancy Argentino of New York. Snuka has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer has called Argentino’s death an “unfortunate accident.”
Defense attorney Robert Kirwan II says Snuka, now 72 and living in Camden County, New Jersey, has early onset dementia and post-concussion syndrome, and the former WWE star doesn’t understand the charges or even knows that he was arrested.
Argentino was found dead after authorities were called to an Allentown-area hotel room she was sharing with Snuka. An autopsy determined she died of brain trauma.
