Santo Domingo.– The law office of lawyer Ángel Lockward reported that the body of Ruth Elisa Seija Jerez, a young bank manager who died in the tragic incident that occurred last month, which left several victims and injuries due to the structural collapse of the iconic establishment on Independencia Avenue, will be exhumed.
The exhumation will take place in the cemetery Jardín Memorial, located on Jacobo Majluta Avenue, with the aim of clarifying the exact cause of Seija’s death. According to Lockward, the hospital initially certified that the death was due to natural causes, despite the fact that it occurred in the midst of the collapse of the Jet Set roof.
The young woman left a child orphaned, and her relatives announced that they will appeal the coercive measure imposed on the two defendants identified as responsible for the act. The judicial decision ordered a bail of RD$50 million, which was described by the lawyers as disproportionate, given the circumstances.
In addition to the appeal, legal representatives reported that they will file a lawsuit against the Dominican State and the City Council of the National District, alleging that both entities were negligent and institutionally liable for allowing the establishment to operate in conditions that allegedly violated safety regulations.
Lockward questioned Judge Kenia Veloz’s decision, despite acknowledging her professional career. He considered that the magistrate applied an “excessively lax” measure by opting for a contractual bail instead of preventive prison or house arrest, despite the seriousness of the case.
Anuncian exhumación de Ruth Elisa Seija; familia apelará medida de coerción en caso Jet Set
He also denounced that the handling of millionaire assets by Inversiones E y L SRL, linked to the case, was allowed, because the judge issued an opposition to the transfer of assets with a duration of only 60 days, which has already expired. According to the lawyers, the request for opposition to the assets of the company that owns the collapsed premises was also rejected.
Agreements with victims in question
Lawyers Carlos Escalante and Nolberto Rondón, part of the criminal team in the case, pointed out that the 57 agreements presented by the defendants do not represent true compensation to the victims. According to their details, only five of these agreements correspond to families of the deceased, while the rest would be related to labor benefits or minor payments that are around RD$200,000.
Lawyers also expressed concern about the alleged closeness between the judge in the case and partners of the main defendant, which, in their opinion, may affect the public perception of the impartiality of the judicial process.
