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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Nearly an hour after his son shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery, Greg McMichael reached out for help to his former boss, Jackie Johnson, the district attorney of Glynn County, Georgia.

“My son and I have been involved in a shooting, and I need some advice right away,” McMichael said, leaving a voicemail on Johnson’s phone.

The killing of Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, led to national outrage after a video showing the tragic event surfaced online. McMichael, his son Travis McMichael, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan—three white men—used trucks and guns in a violent chase before the shooting. They are now serving life sentences for murder and federal hate crimes. However, it wasn’t until more than two months after the incident that they were arrested.

Now, nearly five years later, Johnson, who was serving as the local prosecutor at the time, is facing charges of misconduct. She’s accused of using her office to interfere with the investigation into Arbery’s death. Jury selection for her trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Brunswick, Georgia.

Key Details About the Case:

How Was Ahmaud Arbery Killed?

Arbery, an avid runner, was often seen jogging through the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Glynn County. On February 23, 2020, as Arbery ran past the McMichaels’ property, the father and son grabbed guns and gave chase in their pickup trucks. Bryan, in a separate truck, filmed the incident.

The footage showed Travis McMichael shooting Arbery at point-blank range as they struggled over his shotgun. Arbery was unarmed and had no stolen property on him. Despite this, local police initially let the men go, with Greg McMichael claiming they suspected Arbery was a thief.

Two months later, Bryan’s video was leaked, igniting outrage. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case, and arrests quickly followed for the McMichaels and Bryan.

Who Is Jackie Johnson and Why Was She Charged?

At the time of Arbery’s death, Jackie Johnson had served as the district attorney for southeast Georgia’s Brunswick Judicial Circuit for ten years. Greg McMichael had worked in her office before retiring.

After the shooting, Johnson claimed she recused herself from the case due to her connection with Greg McMichael. Another prosecutor, George Barnhill, was appointed to take over. However, Barnhill quickly ruled that the McMichaels acted lawfully in attempting to detain Arbery, and that the shooting was justified.

In May 2020, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr launched an investigation into Johnson and Barnhill. Carr revealed that Barnhill had been recommended by Johnson and failed to disclose that he had advised police the shooting wasn’t a crime.

In November 2020, Johnson was ousted from office. By 2021, she was indicted on charges of violating her oath of office and hindering the investigation.

What Are the Charges Against Jackie Johnson?

Johnson faces felony charges for using her office to show “favor and affection” to Greg McMichael. She is also charged with a misdemeanor for hindering police by advising that Travis McMichael should not be arrested.

Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, claiming she didn’t direct police not to arrest anyone. Her defense attorney, Brian Steel, stated in a pretrial hearing that Johnson was focused on an unrelated case and wasn’t aware of the details of the Arbery case.

Court records reveal that Johnson and Greg McMichael had at least 16 phone calls in the weeks after the shooting.

Jury Selection Process

Jury selection for Johnson’s trial is set to begin Tuesday in Glynn County. To ensure an impartial jury, 500 local residents were summoned—far more than usual. Prospective jurors will be questioned about their prior knowledge of the case, with the selection process expected to take a week or more.

Why Did It Take So Long for Johnson’s Trial to Begin?

The delay in Johnson’s trial, which took over three years, was largely due to her defense attorney’s commitments. Brian Steel spent nearly two years defending rapper Young Thug in a high-profile racketeering case, causing a delay in Johnson’s court proceedings. After Young Thug entered a plea deal in late October 2023, Johnson’s trial was scheduled for January 2025.

Source

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