High court refuses to halt trial of accused in fatal teen-on-teen stabbing

Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera

By THE STAR STAFF

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico denied the requests to stay proceedings and the petitions for “certiorari” filed by the defense for Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, Justice Secretary of Lourdes Gómez Torres announced on Thursday.

“Consistent with the position of the prosecution, this decision upholds the ruling of the Court of First Instance,” Gómez Torres stated in a written release.

The Justice secretary noted that the decision allowing Avilés Cabrera to be prosecuted for first-degree murder in the death of Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario remains in effect.

Gómez Torres said the ruling means the defendant faces the charge based on the allegation that she caused the death “purposely and knowingly.”

Avilés Cabrera, who was 17 at the time of the crime, is accused of first-degree murder alongside her mother, Elvia Cabrera Rivera, for the stabbing death of Pratts Rosario, another Aibonito teenager, following an end-of-summer party in the southern-central town last August.

The Department of Justice also reported that the ruling regarding Avilés Cabrera’s fitness to stand trial remains in effect.

The Justice secretary noted that this decision means the defendant understands the nature of the criminal proceedings against her and is able to cooperate adequately with her defense.

“We will not rest until justice is served for Gabriela Nicole and her family,” Gómez Torres asserted. “Our commitment is to ensure that this case is handled with the seriousness, sensitivity, and diligence it deserves, in fulfillment of our duty to represent the interests of the people and of crime victims.”