Justice secretary clarifies status of key witness in Aibonito murder case

Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres

By The Star Staff

Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres confirmed earlier this week that Miriathny Dialyan Avilés Rodríguez, a witness in the murder case of Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario, is not in state custody but has expressed no desire to return home.

Avilés Rodríguez’s mother, Sheila Rodríguez Torres, filed a habeas corpus petition on Tuesday seeking her daughter’s release after the young woman appeared at a police station in response to an Amber Alert issued following her disappearance on Sunday.

Avilés Rodríguez is the stepsister of Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, who has been charged in connection with Pratts Rosario’s death. She reportedly will not be testifying in the case.

“Regarding the habeas corpus petition filed in a civil court concerning a minor, we report that, as of today, the respondent has not been properly notified in accordance with the law,” Gómez Torres stated in a written declaration Wednesday. “However, given the public information circulating in the media, the Department of Justice feels compelled to clarify that the 18-year-old is not under the custody of the State or any of its agencies.”

The secretary noted that the young woman, following incidents within her family that threatened her well-being, has expressed reluctance to return home.

“In this context, and as a witness in a criminal proceeding, the Department of Justice is fulfilling its legal duty to provide any support she requests or requires, as established by law,” Gómez Torres added.

She concluded by rejecting claims that the commonwealth or its agencies are illegally detaining the young woman, calling such allegations “completely false and unfounded.”