Claims by ex-boyfriends of slain ‘Fantasy’ dancer excluded from suspect’s trial

A judge blocked efforts by an ex-Cirque du Soleil dancer to paint the woman he is accused of killing as a serial stalker with a history of violent tendencies.

Judge Kathleen Delaney ruled Wednesday that Jason "Blu" Griffith's lawyers could not tell a jury about numerous accusations made by ex-boyfriends of "Fantasy" dancer Debbie Flores Narvaez. They claim she stalked and harassed them.

The ruling could be a blow to a possible defense strategy that contends Griffith was defending himself at the time he is accused of strangling Flores Narvaez, chopping up her body and hiding it in concrete-filled containers in an empty downtown home.

Deputy public defender Abel Yanez argued the defense has the right to show "who was the likely aggressor." Yanez said the history of aggression toward previous ex-boyfriends points to Flores Narvaez as being the aggressor.

But prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo countered that vilifying a victim is not allowed under the law.

Delaney agreed.

The defense will still be able to present evidence showing that Flores Narvaez stalked Griffith, including a video he secretly recorded showing Flores Narvaez admitting to slapping him, slashing his tires and damaging his property.

And Delaney will allow the defense to show one incident involving Flores Narvaez and a different ex-boyfriend, if Griffith uses a self-defense strategy. That incident involved her striking the ex-boyfriend.

The case shocked the Las Vegas performance community, and the sensational nature of the evidence garnered national attention.

Flores Narvaez was reported missing a day after she missed a Dec. 13, 2010, performance in the Luxor burlesque show "Fantasy."

Her disappearance made national headlines, partly because her family made high-profile appeals for help in finding her.

Authorities said Flores Narvaez had gone to Griffith's North Las Vegas home Dec. 12, 2010, to watch the television show "Dexter" - about a serial killer - and the two fought.

A key witness in the case is Griffith's roommate, Louis Colombo, who eventually told police he helped hide the body.

Colombo admitted his involvement in a bid for leniency. He has not been arrested or charged in the case.

Griffith was arrested Jan. 8, 2011.

Griffith and Flores Narvaez had a volatile history, including at least three incidents in which authorities responded to calls of domestic violence between the couple. One, on Oct. 22, 2010, resulted in Griffith's arrest.

Prosecutors have conceded there is evidence suggesting Griffith may have been improperly arrested in that case.

"I don't know because the star witness (Flores Narvaez) in that case is now deceased," DiGiacomo said Wednesday.

Griffith's accomplishments included dancing for singer Toni Braxton on tour, being a New York Knicks City Dancer and signing a record deal. At the time of his arrest he had a major role in the Cirque du Soleil show "Love" at The Mirage.

Flores Narvaez was a backup dancer for "Fantasy" who was developing a special segment for the show with pop singer Sisqó at the time of her death.

In the meantime a new trial date was set in the case for July 8, 2013.

Griffith, 33, remained jailed without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at
fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.