Manuel Mayo López, subdirector of the Sociedad para Asistencia Legal de Puerto Rico (SAL), criticized a judge in Aibonito for making changes to the trial schedule in the case of Antonieshka Avilés Cabrera. Mayo López stated that the court unilaterally established a new schedule without considering the defense team's prior adjustments.
The judge, Juan Reyes, suggested that lawyers who could not adjust to the new schedule should request to be relieved of their representation duties. Mayo López argued that this decision reflects a lack of sensitivity towards the constitutional right to adequate legal representation and that a judge cannot dictate the defense team for an accused person.
The SAL provides legal representation to individuals who cannot afford private representation.