The judges of the Second Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice have delayed their verdict regarding the appeal filed by truckers’ union leader Blas Peralta. Peralta is appealing the 30-year sentence for the murder of the former rector of the state Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Mateo Aquino Febrillet. In his appeal, Peralta requested the Supreme Court vacate the sentence and order a new trial. Peralta and his lawyers are also requesting a change in the basic charge from murder to involuntary homicide that would carry a lesser sentence of from three years to a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The District Attorney for the National District, Yeni Berenice Reynoso told reporters that she believes there is no way that the judges of the Supreme Court will grant this appeal. She said: “He killed a man in plain daylight; let him face the consequences.”
In addition to Blas Peralta, three other persons are also in jail. The sentence has been ratified by the First Court of the Penal Chamber of the Appeals Court of the National District last 30 November, 2017.
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Listin Diario
El Dia
10 May 2018
