Espaillat siblings trial begins over Jet Set nightclub collapse

The trial against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub, is scheduled to begin this Friday, August 28, in Santo Domingo. The legal proceedings follow a structural collapse at the establishment that resulted in 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries.

Presided over by Judge Franny González of the Fourth Criminal Chamber of the National District, the trial will address charges of involuntary manslaughter brought by the Public Ministry. The prosecution's case includes a 156-page indictment and an evidentiary file containing 84 witnesses, along with various documentary and material evidence.

In addition to the Espaillat siblings, several entities and individuals are named as civilly liable third parties, including Inversiones E y L, S. R. L., Difusora Hemisferio, S. R. L., and Radio Cadena Comercial, S. R. L. The court will evaluate the evidence to determine the criminal responsibility of the accused regarding the ceiling collapse.