Probe sought into leak of sworn statements in case of Aibonito teen’s slaying

Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario

By THE STAR STAFF

The Legal Aid Society of Puerto Rico (SAL by its acronym in Spanish) has asked the Office of the Inspector General to investigate how sworn statements from witnesses in an active criminal case were allegedly leaked to a journalist and discussed publicly on a YouTube podcast.

The SAL represents Anthonieshka Avilés Cabrera, who faces criminal charges in the Aibonito Judicial Region. Her mother, Elvia Cabrera Rivera, is being tried separately before a jury, while Avilés Cabrera’s case remains in the discovery stage. They are both charged with the first-degree murder last summer of Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario in a stabbing incident that took place when Avilés Cabrera was a minor.

According to the SAL, the controversy began after the May 8 episode of the podcast Voz y Justicia PR, featuring journalist Sylvia Hernández and notary attorney Chantal M. Delgado Baerga. During the program, Hernández repeatedly stated she possessed sworn statements from several witnesses who did not testify at the preliminary hearing. Delgado Baerga further confirmed that a document Hernández displayed on screen was the sworn statement of a witness who had not taken the stand.

The SAL emphasized that, at the time of the podcast, prosecutors had not withdrawn those witnesses and that only the Puerto Rico Department of Justice should have had lawful access to their sworn statements.

“If it is correct that Ms. Hernández had in her possession sworn statements from witnesses who have not yet testified in open court, this irregularity could constitute a violation of our client’s constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence, due process, and the right to an impartial jury,” the organization stated.

In response, the SAL submitted a formal request for an investigation to Inspector General Ivelisse Torres Rivera. The organization asked the office to determine whether individuals outside the prosecution team had access to confidential witness statements and, if so, how the breach occurred. The SAL also provided a copy of the podcast episode as part of its referral.

The SAL noted that its request is grounded not only in constitutional protections but also in statutory and regulatory provisions governing the handling of prosecutorial case files.

“With this action, the Legal Aid Society fulfills its mission to vigorously defend people of limited economic resources who face criminal allegations from the State,” the organization said.