Francisco Álvarez, coordinator of Citizen Participation, expressed his concern about the slowness that the process followed by the owners of the Jet Set nightclub could face.
The jurist maintained that the Dominican justice system faces a “great challenge” to prevent this file becomes another example of impunity due to procedural delay.
Álvarez recalled that the history of corruption cases and high-profile processes is not encouraging. He cited the case of Jean Alan Rodríguez as a negative example.where the defense presented 94 adjournments just to overcome the preliminary stage.
“What we want is for the same thing not to happen to him. For the case to be heard diligently, not quickly, but agilely. JLate justice is justice denied.”stated Álvarez.
When asked about a possible intervention of political or economic powers to influence the ruling, the coordinator of Citizen Participation He was optimistic due to the high level of public visibility that the process has.
According to Alvarez, the scrutiny of society makes it “very difficult” that external factors determine the course of the case arbitrarily.
The proposal: An abbreviated criminal agreement
As an efficient and fair solution, Álvarez suggested that the best strategy for the accused would be to seek a summary criminal trial agreement with the Public Ministry.
He mentioned that the proposal would include defendants accepting full criminal responsibility, imposing the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter (two years) and preventing victims from suffering again by closing the case quickly.
Although some jurists have raised the possibility of raising the qualification to voluntary manslaughter to seek a greater penalty, Álvarez pointed out that, under the current guidelines of the case, The agreement based on the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter would be the most viable way to ensure that justice is done in a timely manner.
