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Nightclub Owners to Be Tried in Collapse That Killed 236
Newser • • world
Key Points:
- Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, will face trial for involuntary manslaughter following a roof collapse that killed 236 people and injured over 100 in April 2025.
- The judge ruled that the case does not meet the criteria for homicide charges, which require proving the defendants knew their negligence would cause deaths, limiting potential prison time to up to two years.
- Victims' families expressed frustration at the decision, as homicide charges carry much harsher penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
- The ruling reasoned that if the Espaillats had foreseen the collapse, they would not have risked their own lives, suggesting a lack of intent to cause harm.
- The Espaillats will be tried together, but no trial date has yet been scheduled.
