Dominican Court Opens Homicide Trial Over Jet Set Discotheque Collapse

Judge Reymundo Mejía ordered the opening of a full trial for involuntary homicide against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, the owners of the Jet Set discotheque where 236 people died and more than 100 were injured when the venue collapsed during a Rubby Pérez concert on April 8.

Prosecutor Wilson Camacho said the decision follows the complete acceptance of the Public Ministry's accusation, with 42 of the 54 complainants joining the charge. Both the prosecution’s and the defense’s forensic reports concur that responsibility lies with both accused. The judge also imposed a real coercive measure, freezing assets worth 500 million Dominican pesos to secure compensation for the victims.

The case proceeds amid calls from victims’ families for justice and restitution for the tragic loss that deeply affected the Dominican community.