Former WWE superstar Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka will avoid facing a jury after a judge ruled that he is incompetent to stand trial for his alleged part in a death that took place in 1983.
Snuka was originally charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for the alleged slaying of his then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino.
Judge Kelly A. Banach in Allentown, Penn., ruled on Wednesday that Snuka was unfit to stand for trail after four days of testimony about the former professional wrestler's battle with dementia, according to WFMZ and The Morning Report in Pennsylvania.
The 73-year-old was questioned over the course of the hearing, and the judge ultimately sided with the defense expert Dr. Frank Dattilio, who testified that Snuka's dementia is so severe he can't comprehend that he's even been charged with a homicide.
There were also concerns about Snuka's ability to help his attorneys with the case considering it dates back more than 30 years. Snuka's attorney argued that his client suffers from dementia after years of brain damage incurred the ring as a professional wrestler.
Jimmy Snuka in 2013
Snuka could still eventually face charges, however, because he will be brought back into court in six months to be re-evaluated for his competency. If he is still found incompetent in a year and a half, the charges against Snuka will be dropped.
According to reports, Snuka has had several different stories about the altercation that caused Argentino to suffer a severe head injury and skull fracture that led to her death.
Argentino's family won a wrongful death suit against Snuka in 1985, but the wrestler never was charged with her murder until last year.
"Unfortunately, justice suffers when it's delayed," Judge Banach said after issuing her ruling.
