The First Hall of the Court of Appeals of the National District has set 30 November 2017 as the date for announcing its decision on whether it accepts to modify the 30-year jail sentence for murder to truckers’ association leader, Blas Peralta. Peralta was sentenced for the murder of former UASD university rector, Mateo Aquino Febrillet.
National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso maintains that in the murder of Aquino Febrillet there was premeditation, treachery, stealth, intimidation and aggressive persecution. She also told the press that the Public Prosecutor’s Office has determined that Peralta has assets that exceed RD$1 billion and that he supposedly has planned to assassinate five people if his 30-year sentence is ratified. Peralta is the former the king pin of the Federation of Truckers (Fenatrado).
Edward Montás, the chief witness of the murder of former rector, denounced that he fears for his own life as he has been threatened by Peralta.
On Wednesday, 8 November 2017, Montas said speaking during a radio interview that he has information that Peralta could order the death of himself and five others, including that of the widow of Mateo Aquino Febrillet, Rita Solis, if the sentence is not reduced. Solis has refused to negotiate with Peralta and pressed through charges that lead to Peralta receiving the maximum sentence for the crime.
On 12 July 2017, the First Collegiate Court of the National District ordered Peralta serve 30 years in prison at the La Romana Model Jail. He was found guilty of firing the shots that killed the former rector. The shots were fired when Peralta went in pursuit of Montas for a political dispute and Montas was riding in the vehicle driven by Aquino Febrillet.
Others condemned to lesser jail terms in the case were, Rafael Herrera, Geraldo Félix Batista and Franklin Venegas, sentenced to eight years in jail for complicity. These also reportedly ensure that Blas Peralta could order their death because he has lots of resources and persons at his service. Also sentenced to five years in the case is former colonel Rafael Herrera.
Widow Rita Solis holds Blas Peralta responsible for anything that happens to her or her family. She called for the authorities to take preventive measures.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Proceso
El Caribe
Hoy
9 November 2017
