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Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka: WWE veteran charged with girlfriend's murder 32 years after she died in mysterious circumstances | Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka: WWE veteran charged with girlfriend's murder 32 years after she died in mysterious circumstances |
(4 months later) | |
More than three decades after wrestling legend Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka’s girlfriend died in mysterious circumstances the WWE (formerly WWF) veteran has been charged with her murder. | More than three decades after wrestling legend Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka’s girlfriend died in mysterious circumstances the WWE (formerly WWF) veteran has been charged with her murder. |
Police arrested Snuka, whose real name is James Wiley Smith Reiher, after a grand jury concluded that the 72-year-old had caused bruising and other injuries that led to the death of his then girlfriend Nancy Argentino. | Police arrested Snuka, whose real name is James Wiley Smith Reiher, after a grand jury concluded that the 72-year-old had caused bruising and other injuries that led to the death of his then girlfriend Nancy Argentino. |
Snuka repeatedly assaulted her on 10 May 1983, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin told a press conference on Tuesday. | Snuka repeatedly assaulted her on 10 May 1983, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin told a press conference on Tuesday. |
Then he allowed her to lie on their bed at the George Washington Motor Lodge in Pennsylvania’s Whitehall Township, “without obtaining the necessary medical attention,” Martin added. | Then he allowed her to lie on their bed at the George Washington Motor Lodge in Pennsylvania’s Whitehall Township, “without obtaining the necessary medical attention,” Martin added. |
He said that Argentino, who was just 23 when she died, had a multitude to face, scalp and body bruises and abrasions that were consistent with domestic abuse. | He said that Argentino, who was just 23 when she died, had a multitude to face, scalp and body bruises and abrasions that were consistent with domestic abuse. |
Snuka was named a “person of interest” by police at the time but no criminal charges were filed at the time and the case remained open. | Snuka was named a “person of interest” by police at the time but no criminal charges were filed at the time and the case remained open. |
Just five months after Argentino was buried, Snuka, who was known for his high flying finishing moves, soared from the top of a 15-foot steel cage onto “Magnificent” Don Muraco. | Just five months after Argentino was buried, Snuka, who was known for his high flying finishing moves, soared from the top of a 15-foot steel cage onto “Magnificent” Don Muraco. |
In 1985, the Argentino family won a $500,000 wrongful death lawsuit against Snuka, but he claimed he never paid, claiming he couldn’t afford it. | In 1985, the Argentino family won a $500,000 wrongful death lawsuit against Snuka, but he claimed he never paid, claiming he couldn’t afford it. |
Yet, 11 years later, in 1996, after a career that spanned over 50-years, he was inducted into wrestling’s Hall of Fame. | Yet, 11 years later, in 1996, after a career that spanned over 50-years, he was inducted into wrestling’s Hall of Fame. |
Claiming the incident had ruined his life, Snuka maintained his innocence in his 2012 autobiography. | Claiming the incident had ruined his life, Snuka maintained his innocence in his 2012 autobiography. |
"Many terrible things have been written about me hurting Nancy and being responsible for her death, but they are not true," he wrote. | "Many terrible things have been written about me hurting Nancy and being responsible for her death, but they are not true," he wrote. |
"This has been very hard on me and very hard on my family. To this day, I get nasty notes and threats. It hurts. I never hit Nancy or threatened her." | "This has been very hard on me and very hard on my family. To this day, I get nasty notes and threats. It hurts. I never hit Nancy or threatened her." |
But prosecutors said he had a history of allegedly beating Argentino, including one incident four months before she died. | But prosecutors said he had a history of allegedly beating Argentino, including one incident four months before she died. |
"In that case it was alleged that Mr Snuka had been seen dragging Miss Argentino by her hair down a hall," said Martin. "According to testimony it took several sheriff's deputies to get Mr Snuka under control." | "In that case it was alleged that Mr Snuka had been seen dragging Miss Argentino by her hair down a hall," said Martin. "According to testimony it took several sheriff's deputies to get Mr Snuka under control." |
It was a never before seen autopsy reported that labelled her death a homicide, which partly prompted the reopening of the case last year. It came to light during an investigation by The Morning Call newspaper. | It was a never before seen autopsy reported that labelled her death a homicide, which partly prompted the reopening of the case last year. It came to light during an investigation by The Morning Call newspaper. |
After he was arrested at his home in New Jersey’s Waterford Township, Snuka was charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. | After he was arrested at his home in New Jersey’s Waterford Township, Snuka was charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. |
Witnesses said he looked frail as he was fingerprinted, before he posted 10 per cent of the $100,000 bail set in Lehigh County Court. | Witnesses said he looked frail as he was fingerprinted, before he posted 10 per cent of the $100,000 bail set in Lehigh County Court. |
His bail was left at that level since he is battling a terminal illness, Martin said, adding that he didn't want taxpayers to have to foot Snuka's medical bill. | His bail was left at that level since he is battling a terminal illness, Martin said, adding that he didn't want taxpayers to have to foot Snuka's medical bill. |
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