Supreme Court of Puerto Rico Denies Defense Motions, Murder Trial of Anthonieska Avilés to Proceed
Puerto Rico's Supreme Court has rejected multiple defense requests in the case of Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, clearing the way for her murder trial to begin on June 23 for the killing of 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario.
Supreme Court Denies Defense Motions, Murder Trial of Anthonieska Avilés to Proceed
The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico handed down a new legal setback on Thursday for Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, one of the defendants charged in the killing of 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario. The island's highest court denied multiple petitions filed by her attorneys from Sociedad para Asistencia Legal (SAL).
The defense had asked the court to overturn the Court of Appeals' ruling that confirmed Avilés Cabrera was fit to stand trial. They also sought to halt the proceedings and have the first-degree murder charge downgraded. In a one-page resolution, the Supreme Court stated: "Examined the motions requesting a stay of proceedings in aid of jurisdiction and the petition for certiorari filed by the petitioning party, both are denied."
The trial remains scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, before Superior Court Judge Juan A. Reyes Colón at the Aibonito Courthouse. It is still unclear whether the defense will opt for a jury trial or a bench trial.
Secretary of the Department of Justice, Lourdes L. Gómez Torres, issued a written statement emphasizing that the prosecution's position remains unchanged. She noted that the lower court's determination stands: Avilés Cabrera will be tried for first-degree murder, meaning she allegedly caused the death of Gabriela Nicole deliberately and with knowledge of her actions. Gómez Torres also confirmed that the accused has been found competent to understand the nature of the criminal proceedings against her and to assist in her own defense.
"We will not rest until justice is done for Gabriela Nicole and her family," Gómez Torres said. "Our commitment is to ensure this case is handled with the seriousness, sensitivity, and diligence it deserves."
Earlier in the day, Deputy Secretary of Justice Annette Esteves Serrano had indicated that the trial was still set to move forward, as the Supreme Court had not yet ruled on the defense motions. That ruling came later in the day.
"The trial continues and is scheduled to begin next Tuesday, June 23. The Prosecutor's Office is prepared to deliver justice for Gabriela Nicole," Esteves Serrano said in a press release.
She also addressed recent defense motions requesting additional information on rebuttal witnesses, noting that sworn statements had been provided more than a month ago and the defense had not raised any objections at that time.
In a related development, the Aibonito Court granted the prosecution's requests to amend the charges against Avilés Cabrera during an emergency hearing held on June 11. Eight additional witnesses connected to Bonifacio Sánchez School — which both the defendant and the victim attended — and the Alianza Municipal de Servicios Integrados (AMSI) were added. Their testimony is contingent on the defense raising a claim of legal incapacity during the trial.
Judge Juan Reyes Colón also approved the prosecution's request to present aggravating circumstances to the jury that could increase the sentence. These include allegations that the defendant caused serious bodily harm to the victim, that the victim was particularly vulnerable due to her age as a minor, and that the crime was committed with violence, cruelty, and disregard for the victim.
"The Prosecutor's Office filed this request in a timely manner, as the defendant has not waived her right to a jury trial. This is an assertive and proactive action consistent with ordinary jury trial procedures, aimed at guaranteeing due process of law," Esteves Serrano explained.
The case has drawn significant public attention. Avilés Cabrera's mother, Elvia Cabrera Rivera, is also charged in connection with the murder and is being tried separately. Both face two counts of first-degree murder and weapons violations under Puerto Rico law.
During the twelfth day of Cabrera Rivera's jury trial, a key witness — Gabriela "Gaba" Figueroa Arroyo, Avilés Cabrera's best friend — testified for the first time that she saw the young woman wiping blood from her hands and neck following an altercation at the Roberto Colón bypass in Aibonito on the night of the killing.
Source: El Nuevo Día
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