Councilman linked to 3 murders gets 1 year in jail to await trial

Santo Domingo.- A National District judge early Thursday ruled one year pretrial detention against Peter Brand township councilman Erinson De los Santos (Ney), charged with heading a ring of hired killers who alleged gunned down at least three drivers of the Fentrano bus owners association.

Permanent attention judge Suinda Brito ordered De los Santos to San Pedro prison, citing security reasons, at the request from National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso, in a hearing that lasted from 8pm Tuesday to 3:38am Wednesday.

The defense motioned the court to reject pretrial detention against the accused and requested his immediate release on bond.

In the hearing De los Santos claimed innocence, and called the accusations “political persecution” and against labor unions.