Jet Set discotheque owners face trial in Dominican Republic for deadly roof collapse

The Second Collegiate Tribunal of the Distrito Nacional will hear the case against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set discotheque, for their alleged responsibility in the roof collapse that killed 236 people and injured more than 180. The magistrate Clara Luz Almonte classified the offense as culpable homicide, rejecting a request to treat it as intentional homicide. Preventive detention was deemed unnecessary, but civil measures were ordered to seize assets and ensure compensation for victims.

The trial follows previous procedural steps, including a formal request to the Public Ministry and the defense. Evidence presented by prosecutors, both documentary and testimonial, was admitted as relevant and admissible under Dominican criminal procedure law.