Facundo Cabral murder suspect unfit for trial following heart attacks

A Guatemalan judge on Monday suspended a preliminary hearing in the case of Costa Rican Alejandro Jiménez, aka “El Palidejo” (Paleface), who is accused of masterminding an attack that killed Argentine folk singer Facundo Cabral. Attorneys representing Jiménez said their client had two heart attacks over the weekend and was physically unable to attend a pre-trial hearing, the daily La Prensa Libre reported.

Judge Carol Patricia Flores postponed the hearing until Sept. 10. Jiménez, who was arrested last March in Colombia and extradited to Guatemala, was transfered to a hospital. He is accused of murder, attempted murder and organized criminal activity.

Cabral, 74, was on his way to the main international airport in Guatemala to fly to nearby Nicaragua when carloads of gunmen attacked his vehicle in July 2011. The intended target was a businessman and promoter, who was driving the vehicle.