Prosecutors describe their evidence in Wander Franco trial as ‘convincing’ and ‘compelling’

SANTO DOMINGO Dominican Republic AP Key prosecution spectators testified on Friday in the trial of Tampa Bay 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 was initially scheduled for Dec was postponed until earlier this week and three hearings have been held On Thursday the teenage girl testified behind closed doors Prosecutors described the evidence presented on 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 Associated Press alleged that Franco through his mother Yudelka Aybar transferred million pesos or to the mother of the minor on Jan to consent to the abuse The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest Franco also has been charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking Prosecutors say that the minor s mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets that she cannot justify using the funds she received from Franco Franco who turned on March was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August He agreed to an -year million contract in November He is at this moment on Major League Baseball s restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave Franco who was charged in July and is on supervised release could face up to years in prison if uncovered guilty The trial is scheduled to continue Monday AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source