Judge upholds involuntary manslaughter charges in Jet Set Nightclub collapse case

Santo Domingo.- A court in the Dominican Republic has ordered siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat to stand trial in connection with the collapse of the roof at the Jet Set nightclub, one of the deadliest structural disasters in the country’s recent history, which left 236 people dead and dozens injured.

Judge Raymundo Mejía of the First Court of Instruction of the National District ruled that the case should proceed to trial and upheld the legal classification of involuntary manslaughter. The decision means the defendants will face criminal proceedings over their alleged responsibility in the tragedy that occurred on April 8, 2025.

The court also ordered the seizure of assets valued at RD$500 million belonging to the Espaillat siblings and maintained the coercive measures previously imposed on them. These include a RD$50 million financial guarantee, periodic appearances before authorities, and a travel ban preventing them from leaving the country.

The ruling’s most significant aspect was the confirmation of the involuntary manslaughter charges. The referral to trial itself was widely anticipated, as the defendants, through their legal team, had informed the court that they did not oppose the opening of a trial as long as the process complied with legal requirements.

During the hearing, the court heard arguments from the defense, responses from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and petitions from lawyers representing victims and relatives, all of whom requested that the case proceed to a full trial on the merits. After reviewing the submissions, the judge reserved his decision before issuing the ruling.

Given the large number of victims, relatives, attorneys, and other parties involved, access to the courtroom was restricted due to limited space. To ensure transparency, judicial authorities provided live coverage of the proceedings through an online broadcast.

The case stems from the catastrophic collapse of the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo during the early hours of April 8, 2025. The venue was packed for its traditional Monday night event featuring renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was among those killed in the disaster.

According to official reports, the structure suddenly gave way at approximately 12:44 a.m. while hundreds of people were inside the establishment. The collapse resulted in 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries, making it one of the most devastating tragedies in modern Dominican history.

The upcoming trial is expected to examine the circumstances that led to the collapse and determine whether criminal responsibility exists for the loss of life and injuries caused by the incident.