Prosecution rests in Luweibdeh building collapse case

AMMAN — The prosecution in the Jabal Luweibdeh building collapse trial, which left 14 people dead and dozens injured in September of this year, rested its case on Tuesday.

Three defendants are standing trial on 14 charges of involuntary manslaughter and nine charges of causing bodily harm in connection with the collapsed building on September 13.

The defendants, who pleaded not guilty during their opening trial and are released on bail, include the maintenance supervisor, a maintenance technician, and the heir of the building owner, who was responsible for supervising the property.

The court named a forensic expert to testify, examine and assess the injuries of the survivors, and then adjourned the session until next Tuesday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Once the forensic expert presents the court with an estimate of the duration of injuryfor the survivors, the defence team will start presenting their witnesses and evidence in the case.

Earlier in the day, the court heard the final witness for the prosecution who examined the site and determined that the “soil type had no role in the collapse of the building,” according to Petra.

Last month, several experts tasked with examining the site of the building testified in court that building’smaintenance work, as well as the removal of a structurally integral column and wall, caused it to fall.

The witness also added that previous construction work had caused cracks in the building.