Appeals court rejects accused teen’s appeal in Aibonito murder case

The violent slaying of Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario, 16, which occurred at the conclusion of an end-of-summer municipal street party in Aibonito last August, sparked widespread shock and grief in her hometown and across Puerto Rico. (Social media)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Court of Appeals late on Monday rejected a writ of certiorari filed by Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera and upheld the continuation of criminal proceedings against her in the Aibonito Court of First Instance, according to a resolution announced on Tuesday.

Following the decision, Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres reiterated in a written statement that “our commitment remains to litigate this case seriously and responsibly before the trial court, committed to the truth and justice for Gabriela Nicole [Pratts Rosario] and her family,” referring to the teenage victim of a fatal stabbing on Aug. 11 in Aibonito for which Avilés Cabrera and her mother, Elvia Cabrera Rivera, stand accused.

According to the appellate court, none of the criteria established in Rule 40 of its regulations were met to justify its intervention at this stage of the judicial process.

According to the resolution, the defense requested a review of a determination by the trial court that denied several motions to dismiss for alleged lack of jurisdiction, as well as a stay of a preliminary hearing scheduled for this past Monday, Dec. 15.

The Court of Appeals concluded that there is no dispute that Avilés Cabrera, who turned 18 on Sept. 23, was over 15 years of age at the time of the events and that she faces charges for acts constituting first-degree murder, therefore her prosecution as an adult is appropriate under the Puerto Rico Juvenile Law.

As a result, the intermediate court lifted the previously issued stay order and returned the case to the Court of First Instance to continue with the corresponding proceedings.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for today.

The violent slaying of Pratts Rosario, a 16-year-old resident of Aibonito, which occurred at the conclusion of an end-of-summer municipal street party in the southern-central town, sparked widespread shock and grief in her hometown and across Puerto Rico.