Aibonito judge rules that 17-year-old is not fit to stand trial for murder

By THE STAR STAFF

An Aibonito Court has ruled that Anthoneishka Avilés Cabrera, a 17-year-old accused of first-degree murder alongside her mother, Elvia Cabrera Rivera, is not currently fit to face the charges brought against her in the case of the slaying of 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario last month.

The ruling came on Wednesday after Judge Paola Morales considered the testimony of state expert José Malavé, who evaluated the accused.

Avilés Cabrera’s defense attorney, Rocío Revelles, requested a psychological evaluation following a report on her client’s Special Education services from the Department of Education. Revelles expressed concerns about Avilés Cabrera’s ability to comprehend the proceedings, cooperate with her legal team, and make decisions.

According to Malavé’s evaluation, the accused exhibits limitations in understanding specific aspects of the legal process. He observed a deficit in attention, slow information processing, and delayed reactions. As a result, Malavé determined that Avilés Cabrera is currently “not prosecutable” due to her inability to cooperate with the defense.

Given the absence of objections from the involved parties, Judge Morales ordered Avilés Cabrera’s transfer to a forensic psychiatric hospital one day before the preliminary hearing was scheduled to begin in the case. The move is aimed at providing her with the necessary services and support to help her potentially achieve a prosecutable status in the future.

Avilés Cabrera’s psychological evaluation was scheduled for further discussion in court, in accordance with the case proceedings.

A judge found probable cause in August against Cabrera Rivera, 40, and Avilés Cabrera on charges related to the brutal stabbing death of Pratts Rosario in Aibonito on Aug. 11.

According to the case file, the events occurred around midnight at the Roberto Colón bypass road, where a fight between young people ended in the fatal attack on Pratts Rosario.

It was determined that both mother and daughter would be tried for first-degree murder and violating the Weapons Law under common and mutual agreement. Judge Valery Téllez set bail at $1 million each. Prosecutors sought to try the minor as an adult, with both defendants facing up to 99 years in prison if convicted.

On Tuesday, Cabrera Rivera appeared in court for a hearing on exculpatory evidence, during which her defense attorney requested access to photos and videos, after it had been agreed that DNA evidence would be evaluated. Her legal representative argued that her involvement was “minimal.”

The Public Prosecutor’s Office maintained that the evidence it possesses is incriminating.