WWE legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka 'has months to live and cannot stand trial over girlfriend's murder' - Mirror.co.uk

WWE legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka 'has months to live and cannot stand trial over girlfriend's murder' - Mirror.co.uk

WWE wrestling legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka is in hospice care and has just six months to live, it has been revealed.

His lawyer made the disclosure during a hearing to re-evaluate the 73-year-old's mental competence to stand trial accused of murdering his girlfriend more than 30 years ago .

Snuka is charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter over the death of Nancy Argentino in 1983.

He was declared mentally incompetent at a hearing in June of this year.

Nancy, 23, was taken to hospital gasping for air and oozing yellow liquid from her mouth on May 10, 1983, having spent the night in a hotel room with Snuka.

She died the next day.

Snuka, whose real name is James Wiley Smith Reiher, was named as a 'person of interest' at the time but no charges were ever brought and the case went cold.

He has long-maintained his innocence, even writing in his autobiography: "I never hit Nancy or threatened her."

But in September last year, Snuka was charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka
Legend: "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka (Photo: Rex)

A grand jury concluded he had caused the injuries which led to her death.

Snuka is accused of repeatedly assaulting Argentino in their hotel room at the George Washington Motor Lodge in Whitehall Township.

He is then accused of leaving her to lie on their bed "without obtaining the necessary medical attention".

On Friday, Carole Snuka, wife of the accused, told a judge via live video that the family struggles to keep him from leaving home during bouts of psychosis in which he thinks he's late for a WWE wrestling match, The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown reported.

Former professional wrestlers Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and "Rowdy Roddy Piper look on as Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka steps into the ring to battle WWE Superstar Chris Jericho during WrestleMania 25
Heyday: Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat and 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper look on as Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka steps into the ring to battle Chris Jericho (Photo: Bill Olive/Getty Images)

A prosecution psychiatrist, John O’Brien, said he believed the former wrestler was faking dementia.

Snuka himself also testified via live video feed, answering questions about the recent US presidential election and Thanksgiving.

His lawyer, Robert Kirwan, told the judge that doctors last week declared the wrestler too sick to travel.

Snuka was reportedly unable to say who won the election, but told the judge he had enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with his wife and children.

Carole Snuka later said the meal was in his imagination, adding that doctors are no longer treating his physical conditions.

SUMBER