Former Jet Set Club employee testifies that owners knew of structural deterioration
A former employee testified before a judge that the owners of the club were aware of the building's condition. The collapse on 8 April 2025 left 236 dead.
Key testimony in trial over Jet Set Club collapse: owners allegedly ignored warnings
A former employee of the Jet Set Club nightclub testified on Monday before a judge that the owners of the establishment had full knowledge of the structural deterioration of the building before its roof collapsed on 8 April 2025, killing 236 people and injuring more than a hundred others, according to latimes.com.
"Yes, they were aware, because I sent them photos, I sent them videos of all the problems that existed there, this should not have happened, not a single person should have died there," declared Gregory Adames during the final phase of the preliminary hearing against brothers Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the nightclub located in Santo Domingo.
The testimony aggravates the situation of the businesspeople in a proceeding involving prosecutors and dozens of lawyers representing the affected families. These families have raised complaints about the slowness and delays in the procedure.
Monday's hearing will continue on Friday, the date on which the judge will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to hold a formal trial.
Request for change in legal classification
Although the Espaillat brothers are initially accused of involuntary manslaughter, the lawyers for the families are asking that the charge be changed to voluntary manslaughter. If that change is accepted, the defendants would go from facing a maximum sentence of two years to one of up to 20 years in prison.
"Today the variation of the legal classification is being debated and it is what we hope occurs, that the judge changes the legal classification from involuntary manslaughter to voluntary manslaughter," lawyer Jean Carlos Martínez Segura told The Associated Press, who represents nine families.
"We want them to be adjusted to the proportionality and gravity of the act," added Martínez Segura.
Obstacles for the defence and accusations of intimidation
Meanwhile, the lawyers for the accused filed an appeal alleging that defence experts have been unable to gather information about the collapsed structure because of a series of obstacles and impediments by the prosecutors themselves.
The prosecution maintains that the Espaillat brothers, as those responsible for operating the establishment, committed involuntary manslaughter of the 236 victims and caused injuries to more than a hundred people. Additionally, the authorities have accused the Espailiats of attempting to intimidate or manipulate employees of the establishment. Antonio Espaillat is described as a powerful businessman, owner of luxurious leisure centres and dozens of local radio stations.
Victims of public prominence among the deceased
Hundreds of people were in the establishment on the night of the collapse, attending a concert by singer Rubby Pérez, who was also among the victims. Among the deceased were Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister of Major League player Nelson Cruz, and former Major League player Octavio Dotel, who was rescued alive from the rubble but died later in hospital.
Source: Google News DO — Santo Domingo