The trial of Rays shortstop Wander Franco is headed to closing arguments in the Dominican Republic on Monday, with the possibility of a verdict by the three-judge panel being announced.
Franco, 24, faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty on charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking stemming from a relationship with a then-14-year-old girl that started in December 2022, when Franco was 21. He has not played for the Rays since word of the relationship surfaced on social media in August 2023.
Franco offered brief comments to reporters upon leaving the courtroom in Puerto Plata on Tuesday, per the Dominican newspaper Diario Libre, saying his case was “in God’s hands” and he retained confidence in the process: “I understand that they are doing their job; all we want is justice.”
Franco, per the newspaper, also said he was “positive, steadfast, and training,” and regretted not being able to play baseball. “That’s what I know how to do and what I miss the most,” he said.
Per the newspaper, Franco’s attorneys submitted evidence that included a letter from the minor’s father withdrawing his complaint (which has been previously reported) and taped testimony from the minor given privately in which they claim she denies having a relationship with Franco.
The mother of the minor also faces charges of sexual exploitation and money laundering, as she was alleged to be paid by Franco to allow the relationship.
The only witness the defense called Tuesday, per ESPN, was baseball trainer Joel Smith, who works with Franco during the offseason and said he has been diligent in his training following his unexpected premature end to the 2023 season and into 2024.
(The Tampa Bay Times confirmed that the Joel Smith who testified is not the Joel Smith who works for the Rays as an athletic trainer handling rehabs.)
As he has since the legal process started last year, Franco’s lawyer Teodosio Jáquez insisted that “there is no evidence” linking his client to the alleged crimes, per Diario Libre.
“The only real accusation against Wander has been the comments on social media. We are going to prove that there is no case against him,” he stated.
Per the Listin Diario newspaper, Jaquez also said it “would certainly be an injustice” if “that young man’s future is being cut short, simply because of comments on social media.”
The prosecution said when the trial started June 2 that it had “conclusive evidence” against Franco and maintained that position Tuesday, which was the fifth hearing in the case.
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Prosecutor Claudio Cordero said “the Public Prosecutor’s Office has evidence and will present its findings next Monday, June 23, and request the appropriate sentence for each of the accused.”
In Dominican courts, it is common for judges to announce a verdict and accompanying sentencing, then issue rationale within three weeks. The verdict can be appealed to an appellate level court and potentially to the supreme court.
Once the Dominican legal process is over, Major League Baseball will complete its investigation and then decide if Franco will be disciplined, with a guilty verdict not required for a suspension. He has been on MLB’s restricted list and is not being paid his $8 million salary; he was unable to get a visa due to the charges and report to spring training.
He also faces an illegal possession of a gun charge stemming from a November 2024 incident.
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