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Espaillat siblings face trial for Jet Set nightclub collapse
The criminal trial for Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub, commenced in Santo Domingo following the tragic roof collapse on April 8, 2025. The incident resulted in 236 deaths and over 180 injuries. The Public Ministry has charged the siblings with involuntary manslaughter, alleging systematic negligence regarding the maintenance and structural integrity of the facility. Prosecutors argued that the weight of negligence exceeded the capacity of the structure.
During the initial hearings, Judge Franny González Castillo presided over the proceedings. The prosecution presented a 156-page indictment supported by 84 witnesses, 35 expert reports, and various documentary and material evidence. While the current charges are for involuntary manslaughter, legal representatives for the victims are pushing for the charges to be upgraded to voluntary manslaughter with eventual intent, citing the owners' alleged knowledge of the building's deterioration.
Security was heavily reinforced at the Palace of Justice in Ciudad Nueva to manage the large crowds of families, lawyers, and media. The trial has been recessed and is scheduled to resume on Friday, September 4, with witnesses and experts expected to testify. The defendants remain under judicial coercion, including a 50 million peso economic guarantee each and a travel ban.
Entities
Antonio Espaillat · Franny González · Franny González Castillo · Jet Set · Maribel Espaillat · Rubby Pérez · Santo Domingo · Wilson Camacho
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 12 SOURCES] Judge Franny González Castillo is presiding over the trial. maguacadigital.com · bajotecho.com.do · opiniondelpueblo.com · www.prensa-latina.cu · elnaguero.com · +5 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The defendants are required to provide 50 million pesos each in economic guarantees. maguacadigital.com · opiniondelpueblo.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
- [● 22 SOURCES] The tragedy resulted in 236 deaths and over 180 injuries. maguacadigital.com · bajotecho.com.do · diarionoticias.do · opiniondelpueblo.com · deultimominuto.com · +14 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] Antonio and Maribel Espaillat face charges of involuntary manslaughter. maguacadigital.com · bajotecho.com.do · opiniondelpueblo.com · www.prensa-latina.cu · diariopuertoplata.com.do · +7 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The Jet Set nightclub collapse occurred on April 8, 2025. maguacadigital.com · diarionoticias.do · opiniondelpueblo.com · deultimominuto.com · www.prensa-latina.cu · +9 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The prosecutor alleges illegal constructions and structural violations occurred between 2014 and 2025. elnaguero.com
- [● 23 SOURCES] The trial against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat began this Friday, August 28. maguacadigital.com · bajotecho.com.do · diarionoticias.do · montecristinoticias.com · opiniondelpueblo.com · +14 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Jet Set Movement held a vigil to demand equal treatment for victims. montecristinoticias.com · diarionoticias.do · elnuevodiario.com.do
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The family of the late merenguero Rubby Pérez has requested 500 million pesos in civil reparations. elviajero.com.do
- [● 7 SOURCES] The prosecutor alleges systematic negligence in the maintenance and structural adaptation of the facilities. bajotecho.com.do · elnaguero.com · expressdiario.com · www.laverdadpa.com · precision.com.do · +2 more
- [DISPUTED] The trial has been recessed and is scheduled to resume on Friday, September 4. pasoapaso.com.do · dominicanaaldia.com · www.portadanacional.com