Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, charged with first-degree murder and a weapons law violation in the killing of 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole "Lela" Pratts Rosario on August 11, 2025, is due back in Aibonito Court on September 14 for a trial-stage hearing. The trial on the merits is expected to begin on September 15 if agreed by the parties and the court.
Last week, Judge Juan A. Reyes Colón denied the prosecution’s request to add new rebuttal witnesses and rejected the defense’s motion to suppress evidence. On August 31, prosecutors had asked to present 11 rebuttal witnesses tied to the defendant’s insanity defense, three of whom had not previously been disclosed; the defense opposed under Rule 74 of Criminal Procedure.
The judge ruled the prosecution’s request was untimely, lacked justification, and that the three new witnesses had not even been presented to the already-seated jury. He also denied a defense motion to suppress photographs showing cuts on Avilés Cabrera’s right hand, evidence previously used in the trial of her mother, Elvia Cabrera Rivera, who was sentenced to 102 years in prison for the same case and whose defense is preparing an appeal.
The judge said evidence admissibility issues will be handled per the Rules of Evidence as they arise.