Spanish
Santo Domingo.– Upon his arrival at the Palace of Justice for the coercion measure hearing against Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat, defense attorney Miguel Valerio questioned some of the arguments of the Public Ministry.
"During these last few days we have been silent, awaiting the coercive measure. We were working on it, and we are surprised by many things that have come out in that request, which will be debated within the hearing," Valerio affirmed. The lawyer criticized what he considered emotional and unfounded legal claims, especially those made by Deputy Attorney Wilson Camacho. "I believe that as a result of the magistrate's emotion, it was said that there was contempt for human life. No one can have contempt for human life. That is stirring up a case that they themselves describe as recklessness," he maintained. Valerio emphasized that even family members and close friends of Antonio Espaillat himself were present on the day the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed, and some died. "One of the accused was at the scene, under the rubble. Close friends of Mr. Espaillat also died. Therefore, talking about contempt for human life is not appropriate," he insisted. The jurist also refuted the version of a witness identified as Gregory Adames, who claimed that Maribel Espaillat was seen counting boxes of drinks after the tragedy. "That's a fanciful thing. The same Public Ministry knows that the drinks are still in the place. We haven't removed anything from the Jet Set. Maribel Espaillat was under the rubble, not counting boxes," he affirmed.You may be interested in: Lawyer Ángel Locward argues the State should be held responsible for the orphans of the Jet Set tragedy
Finally, Valerio assured that his team has enough elements to reject the request of the Public Ministry, which seeks preventive prison for 18 months against Antonio Espaillat."We believe we have enough budgets to demonstrate that Mr. Espaillat does not deserve preventive prison," he concluded.
