SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The owners of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic where a roof collapse killed 236 people and injured more than 100 others will face trial on involuntary manslaughter charges, following a court ruling that has sparked disappointment among relatives of the victims.
A judge in Santo Domingo ruled Monday that siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub, should stand trial in connection with the April 2025 disaster, one of the deadliest structural collapses in the country’s recent history.
If convicted, the pair could face prison sentences of up to two years under Dominican law.
The collapse occurred on April 8, 2025, when the roof of the popular entertainment venue gave way during a crowded concert, trapping hundreds of people beneath the debris. Emergency crews worked for several days to search for survivors and recover victims from the wreckage.
Court Rejects More Serious Charges
The decision was issued by Magistrate Reymundo Mejía Zorrilla of the First Court of Instruction of the National District in Santo Domingo.
The ruling determined that homicide charges were not appropriate because prosecutors had not demonstrated that the defendants knew their actions or negligence would result in the deaths of those inside the venue.
According to the court’s reasoning, if the owners had anticipated that the roof would collapse, it would be unreasonable to conclude that they would knowingly place themselves and others in such danger.
The decision disappointed many families affected by the tragedy, who had sought homicide charges carrying substantially higher penalties.
Relatives gathered outside the courthouse ahead of the hearing, joining in prayer and calling for stronger legal consequences for those held responsible for the disaster.
Prosecutors Cite Extensive Evidence
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has previously alleged that the Espaillat siblings attempted to intimidate or influence employees during the investigation.
Authorities have also stated that prosecutors collected hundreds of pieces of evidence that they believe connect the nightclub owners to circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Antonio Espaillat is considered one of the Dominican Republic’s most influential business figures, with interests that include entertainment venues and numerous radio stations.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the court determined that the evidence currently supports involuntary manslaughter charges rather than intentional homicide.
The siblings are expected to be tried together. A trial date has not yet been announced.
Disaster Shocked the Dominican Republic
The collapse sent shockwaves across the Dominican Republic and drew widespread public attention because of the large number of casualties and the prominence of many victims.
Hundreds of people were attending a performance at the nightclub when the structure failed.
Among those killed was renowned Dominican singer Rubby Pérez, who had been performing at the venue when the roof collapsed.
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel was also among the victims. He was rescued from the rubble but later died after being transported to a hospital.
The disaster prompted renewed scrutiny of building safety standards, venue inspections and regulatory oversight in the Dominican Republic, although authorities have not yet announced the final outcome of the broader investigation into the causes of the collapse.
As legal proceedings move forward, families of the victims continue to seek accountability for one of the country’s deadliest public tragedies in recent years.
Tags: Dominican Republic, Jet Set Nightclub, Court Case, Building Collapse, Public Safety
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