Coercion hearing today for woman accused of killing Chinese merchant

Santo Domingo.- This Friday, the Permanent Attention Court of the National District will convene to consider a request for a coercive measure against Francelys Furcal Martínez, who stands accused of fatally stabbing a Chinese merchant in the abdomen.

Judge Fátima Veloz will preside over the hearing following the acceptance of a motion by defense attorney Tomás Castro last Wednesday, allowing time to prepare the defendant’s legal arguments.

Furcal Martínez is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Chinese national Jhei Leet, also known as Chen Zongxin, the former proprietor of the establishment where Francelys was employed.

Currently held in preventive detention at the Ciudad Nueva Courthouse, Furcal Martínez was extradited from Spain to face charges in the Dominican Republic.

According to the indictment presented by the Department of Investigation of Crimes and Crimes against Persons (Homicides) of the National District Prosecutor’s Office, Furcal Rodríguez is accused of causing the death of the Chinese citizen on April 21, 2022, at the Z&C commercial store in Belensanche Luperón. The altercation allegedly occurred in response to an attack against Furcal Martínez.

The prosecution contends that the accused engaged in a confrontation with the victim, resulting in a fatal stab wound to the abdomen.

Subsequently, Furcal Martínez fled the country, traveling to Colombia and then Brazil the next day, using a passport under the name Denny María Rodríguez Hierro. Her journey to evade justice took her through São Paulo, Qatar, France, and eventually Spain, where she was apprehended and extradited back to the Dominican Republic.