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3 clusters · 7 sources · 31 days · First seen · Last updated

Jet Set nightclub collapse legal proceedings

Overview

Following the April 2025 roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, which killed 236 people and injured over 100, legal proceedings have moved toward a formal trial. Owners Antonio Espaillat López and Maribel Espaillat de Beras face charges of involuntary homicide and negligence.

In July 2026, authorities scheduled the first substantive hearing for late August. While a new Dominican penal code would allow for longer sentences, prosecutor Rosalba Ramos noted that the principle of non-retroactivity prevents the application of these harsher penalties to this case.

By late August 2026, the trial was set to commence in the Fourth Criminal Chamber of the National District. The prosecution intends to present a 156-page file involving 84 witnesses. The Espaillat siblings remain under judicial measures, including a travel ban and an economic guarantee of RD$50 million. In response to the upcoming proceedings, the Movimiento Justicia Jet Set organized vigils, with victims' families requesting public demonstrations to honor the deceased.

As of August 28, 2026, the trial is scheduled to begin under Judge Franny González. The proceedings will address the structural collapse that occurred during a performance by merenguero Rubby Pérez, who was among the deceased. The indictment also names several entities 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 documentary and material evidence to determine criminal responsibility for the tragedy, which resulted in 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries.

Entities

Jet Set · Antonio Espaillat · Maribel Espaillat · Jet Set nightclub · Antonio Espaillat López

Timeline

  1. about 2 hours ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Espaillat siblings trial begins over Jet Set nightclub collapse

    The trial for Antonio and Maribel Espaillat begins in Santo Domingo following a nightclub collapse that killed 236 people and injured over 180, involving charges of involuntary manslaughter.

  2. 2 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Espaillat siblings face trial for Jet Set nightclub collapse

    The trial of Jet Set nightclub owners Antonio and Maribel Espaillat begins following a ceiling collapse that killed 236 people. Victims' families are holding a vigil to demand proportional justice.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 13 sources
    Dominican Republic schedules August trial for Jet Set nightclub collapse

    The Jet Set nightclub collapse that killed 236 in the Dominican Republic will go to trial on 28 August 2026, with owners charged with involuntary homicide and calls for harsher penalties.

Sources

deultimominuto.net · diariolibre.com · dominicanaaldia.com · elnuevodiario.com.do · elradar.do · listinusa.net · montecristinoticias.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history