Dominican Republic schedules August trial for Jet Set nightclub collapse

Jet Set collapse Dominican Republic Antonio Espaillat Maribel Espaillat August trial

A roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo on 8 April 2025 during a concert killed 236 people and injured more than 100. The owners, brothers Antonio Espaillat López and Maribel Espaillat de Beras, are charged with involuntary homicide and negligence.

The first substantive hearing of the case has been set for 28 August 2026 at 09:00 local time in the Fourth Chamber of the Penal Court (room 301). The trial will be public and the defendants face the penalties provided by the law in force at the time of the incident.

Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos said the current two‑year maximum sentence for involuntary homicide is insufficient for a tragedy of this magnitude. The new Dominican penal code, effective 3 August 2026, would allow up to ten years for similar offenses, but the principle of non‑retroactivity prevents its application to this case.

Civil parties, including Radio Cadena Comercial, Difusora Hemisferio, Inversiones CCEP‑02, Evelyn Espaillat and Ana Grecia López, have been named as third‑party defendants, and victims’ families continue to demand accountability and justice.

Entities

Antonio Espaillat López · Franny González Castillo · Jet Set discotheque · Jet Set nightclub · Maribel Espaillat de Beras · Rosalba Ramos

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Owners Antonio Espaillat López and Maribel Espaillat de Beras are charged with involuntary homicide and negligence. www.diariolibre.com · pasoapaso.com.do
[● 3 SOURCES] The new Dominican penal code, effective 3 August 2026, raises the maximum penalty for involuntary homicide to ten years but cannot be applied retroactively. pasoapaso.com.do · ensegundos.do · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 2 SOURCES] Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos said the current two‑year maximum penalty for involuntary homicide is insufficient for the tragedy. pasoapaso.com.do · ensegundos.do
[● 3 SOURCES] The first substantive hearing is scheduled for 28 August 2026 at 09:00 local time in the Fourth Chamber of the Penal Court, room 301. www.diariolibre.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 3 SOURCES] The Jet Set nightclub roof collapsed on 8 April 2025 during a concert, killing 236 people and injuring over 100. www.diariolibre.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 2 SOURCES] Civil parties including Radio Cadena Comercial, Difusora Hemisferio, Inversiones CCEP‑02, Evelyn Espaillat and Ana Grecia López were named as third‑party defendants. www.diariolibre.com