SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Key prosecution witnesses testified Friday in the trial of Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse against a minor, before the Puerto Plata Collegiate Court in the Dominican Republic.
The trial that initially had been scheduled for Dec. 12 was postponed until earlier this week, and three hearings have been held.
Thursday, the parties reviewed private testimony the minor had given previously in a judge’s chamber.
Prosecutors described the evidence presented Friday as “convincing” and “compelling.”
“Franco Aybar kidnapped the victim for sexual purposes for several days and then sent large sums of money to her mother,” prosecutors stated.
Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associat