Former professional ballet dancer Mary Lois Ventura Garrido was allowed to post bail. She had been serving preventive custody in Najayo Jail. She is accused of running over a fellow professional dancer, teacher, artistic event producer Patricia Ascuasiati. Both were senior citizens and known to be close friends. The two had been driving to Santo Domingo after an outing in the north.
Judge Katerine A. Rubio Matos, alternate judge of the Villa Altagracia Court of Instruction, issued the change in preventive custody measures in response to a request from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
As reported, the Ascuasiati family has agreed that Ventura Garrido be allowed to pay RD$2 million bail through an insurance company and be available to attend court sessions. The court imposed an impediment for Ventura Garrido to leave the country.
Ventura Garrido faces charges for alleged attempted murder against Ascusiati Dominguez, in violation of articles 2, 295, 304 of the Dominican Penal Code.
Ventura Garrido is regarded as one of the best classic ballet dancers ever. She was one of the founders of the Ballet Nacional Dominicano and first ballerina. She was the national ballet corps temporary director from 2003-2004.
Ascuasiati also had an outstanding career in dance. She was the resident choreographer for the Ballet Clasico Nacional (1994-2000). She died on 9 March 2022 in a medical center when she was not able to survive the injuries received when run over by her close friend in an apparent attack of rage.
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Noticias SIN
El Nacional
14 December 2022