Gerson Fuentes: Trial date set for man accused of raping, impregnating 9-year-old
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The man accused of impregnating a young Ohio girl who had to go to Indiana to get an abortion will stand trial in January.
Gerson Fuentes is accused of raping a 9-year-old girl in Franklin County this year. The girl, who turned 10 in May, traveled to Indiana to get an abortion after Ohio doctors told her mother they did not think it would be legal here.
The case unfolded as the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe-v-Wade decision, reigniting the polarizing national debate over abortion. During the several days between the girl's abortion and Fuentes' arrest, pro-life groups disputed the validity of the story of the pregnant 10-year-old.
In court Thursday, Fuentes' defense attorneys said they need to see police body-camera video from his arrest to make sure all procedures were followed. Fuentes, who prosecutors said is an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, attended the hearing, but did not say or do much. The hearing was translated for Fuentes.
Also in court, there were brief discussions about Fuentes' alleged confession and the previously-reported DNA match of 99.9 percent. In past court hearings, the defense said it wanted to review police reports, body-camera video and other evidence to see if the confession should be challenged.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 9, 2023, but that could change. Prosecutors said there have been preliminary discussions about a possible plea.
If found guilty, Fuentes, who has pleaded not guilty, faces a possible sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
