Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera arrives tearful at Aibonito Court; possible plea agreement being negotiated
The trial against Avilés Cabrera for the murder of Gabriela Nicole Pratts was postponed until noon following reports of a possible plea agreement with prosecutors.
Trial in Aibonito postponed while guilty plea agreement reportedly being negotiated
The start of the trial against Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera at Aibonito Court, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Monday, was adjourned until 2:00 p.m. amid reports of negotiations between prosecutors and the defence, according to metro.pr.
The defendant, charged with the murder of teenager Gabriela Nicole Pratts, arrived visibly nervous and tearful at court, according to journalists present at the location. The judge convened both parties to appear in the afternoon without offering a public explanation for the delay.
When asked by the press about the existence of a possible plea agreement, Avilés Cabrera's lawyers clarified that any such offer must be presented to their client, who retains the final decision.
"Once a possibility of a plea agreement is presented to a lawyer, the lawyer is ethically obliged to present it to the client. They can say 'look, I recommend, I don't recommend', but the one who has the final say is always the client," affirmed lawyer Rocío Revelles Ponce.
Telenoticias reported, citing sources, that a guilty plea agreement by Avilés Cabrera was being negotiated. Her mother, Elvia Cabrera, was sentenced last week to 102 years in prison for the death of Gabriela Nicole Pratts.
The legal team for the defendant had warned on Monday that the conviction and subsequent sentencing of Elvia Cabrera could influence the jury in the trial against their client. The lawyers requested, without success, that the start of the proceedings be postponed for that reason.
Regarding Avilés Cabrera's emotional state, lawyer María Soledad Sáez Matos acknowledged the impact of the case on the family of the defendant.
"It has been very difficult for this family from the beginning, and Elvia's sentencing is very recent. This is very strong pain for this entire family; it has been difficult even for the lawyers. So I perfectly understand how she feels," Sáez Matos said.
Both lawyers indicated that they will be ready to resume the trial when the parties return to court at 2:00 p.m.
Source: Google News PR — Crime