The Public Prosecutor’s Office appealed the recent court decision that allowed for RD$50 million bail and impediment to leave the country for Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, key figures in the high-profile Jet Set case. In parallel, lawyers of the victims have appealed the pre-trial ruling.
The case involves the collapse of the roof of the JetSet Club during a full house for the last Rubby Perez merengue concert. More than 236 persons died from concussions and another 180 were seriously injured.
The judge hearing the case accepted the prosecution’s accusations against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat for involuntary homicide, which would carry a charge of at most two years in jail.
Previous to the hearing, the preliminary official technical report indicated the probable cause of the collapse of the roof was overload.
The legal motion by the prosecution challenges the ruling issued by Judge Fátima Veloz, arguing that the current measures fail to reflect the gravity of the charges and do not adequately safeguard the integrity of the investigation, particularly the protection of witnesses.
“We are requesting pretrial detention for Antonio Espaillat and house arrest for Maribel Espaillat, as we believe these are the most appropriate measures to ensure the investigation proceeds without interference,” said Ramírez. He emphasized that while Maribel Espaillat played a less central role, she still held operational responsibilities. Witnesses say that Espaillat could have called off the concert after debris injured a customer.
Antonio Espaillat is identified as the principal manager of the entity. He was abroad at the time of the tragedy and returned to the country on the same day.
According to the prosecution, Maribel Espaillat allegedly attempted to exert influence over witnesses—an action that further justifies the call for stricter precautionary measures.
The case now awaits the scheduling of a hearing by the Court of Appeals, where both the Public Prosecutor’s motion and those submitted by civil complainants will be reviewed.
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Noticias SIN
Noticias SIN
2 July 2025