Santo Domingo.– The First Court of Instruction of the National District postponed for Monday March 16 the beginning of the preliminary hearing against Antonio and Maribel Espaillatnightclub owners Jet Setso that the Public Ministry formally notifies the accusation to all the parties involved.
The decision was made by the judge Raymundo Mejíawho also granted a period of 10 days to the prosecuting body to deliver the file to the lawyers of the victims and complainants. The latter were granted 30 additional days to deposit their defense briefs.
Hearings will be known every Monday
The magistrate established that the process will be heard every mondayurging the parties to appear properly prepared. Likewise, it was set for the January 30 the hearing in which the counter-examination requested by the defensewhich requested the carrying out of new technical studies in the ruins of the establishment.
Involuntary manslaughter charge
The preliminary hearing seeks to determine whether there are sufficient merits to send those accused to trial for the tragedy that occurred on April 8, 2024, when the collapse of the Jet Set roof left 236 people dead and at least 89 injured.
According to the Public Ministry, the Espaillat brothers face charges of manslaughter, aggravated involuntary blows and injuries and gross negligenceby allegedly overloading the roof of the premises with large air conditioning equipment and water tanks, without the necessary technical studies.
The accusation maintains that there were prior warnings about the deterioration of the roof, as well as reports of leaks and falling debris, which would have been ignored to avoid financial expenses.
From the early hours, relatives of the victims and members of different groups gathered on the outskirts of the Palace of Justice of the National District to demand justice. Upon the arrival and departure of the accused, some protesters shouted slogans at them such as “murderers”, reflecting the pain and indignation that still persists after the tragedy.
The Jet Set collapse is considered one of the worst tragedies to occur at an entertainment center in the country’s recent history.
