The Jet Set nightclub collapse, one of the deadliest disasters in recent Dominican history, will move to trial after a judge ruled Monday that the venue’s owners must answer for the catastrophe. The decision charges the sibling owners with involuntary manslaughter, a ruling that fell far short of what grieving families had hoped to see.

The Ruling

Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who own the Santo Domingo nightclub, will stand trial together for involuntary manslaughter. If found guilty, they could face up to two years in prison.

The ruling came from Magistrate Reymundo Mejía Zorrilla of the First Court of Instruction of the National District in Santo Domingo. No date has yet been set for the trial.

A Disaster That Shook a Nation

The roof collapse, which occurred on April 8, 2025, killed 236 people and injured more than 100, sending shockwaves across the Dominican Republic. In the aftermath, authorities worked frantically for days to reach those trapped beneath the rubble, a desperate rescue effort that gripped the country.

The sheer scale of the loss has kept the case at the center of public attention more than a year later, as families continue to seek accountability for what unfolded that night.

Families Wanted More

For the victims’ relatives, Monday’s decision brought frustration rather than relief. Many had hoped for homicide charges, which carry far stiffer penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

The court, however, explained why it did not pursue that path. According to the ruling, a homicide charge would require showing that the defendants knew their negligence would cause the victims’ deaths. The judge reasoned that if the owners could have foreseen the collapse, logic and reason suggest they would not have put their own lives at risk alongside those of their patrons.

The emotional weight of the case was visible outside the courthouse. Roughly 30 relatives of the victims gathered ahead of the hearing, holding hands and praying as they awaited the decision.

What Comes Next

With the charges now set, the Espaillats await a trial date that has yet to be announced. The proceedings will determine whether the owners are held legally responsible for the disaster, even as the gap between the manslaughter charge and the families’ demand for homicide charges leaves many feeling that justice remains incomplete.

This is a developing story, and further details are likely to emerge as the case proceeds toward trial.