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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cin God\u2019s hands\u201d and he retained confidence in the process: \u201cI understand that they are doing their job; all we want is justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Franco, per the newspaper, also said he was \u201cpositive, steadfast, and training,\u201d and regretted not being able to play baseball. \u201cThat\u2019s what I know how to do and what I miss the most,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Per the newspaper, Franco\u2019s attorneys submitted evidence that included a letter from the minor\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
(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.)<\/p>\n
As he has since the legal process started last year, Franco\u2019s lawyer Teodosio J\u00e1quez insisted that \u201cthere is no evidence\u201d linking his client to the alleged crimes, per Diario Libre.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only real accusation against Wander has been the comments on social media. We are going to prove that there is no case against him,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Per the Listin Diario newspaper, Jaquez also said it \u201cwould certainly be an injustice\u201d if \u201cthat young man\u2019s future is being cut short, simply because of comments on social media.\u201d<\/p>\n
The prosecution said when the trial started June 2 that it had \u201cconclusive evidence\u201d against Franco and maintained that position Tuesday, which was the fifth hearing in the case.<\/p>\n
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Explore all your options<\/a><\/p>\n Prosecutor Claudio Cordero said \u201cthe Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office has evidence and will present its findings next Monday, June 23, and request the appropriate sentence for each of the accused.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n He also faces an illegal possession of a gun charge stemming from a November 2024 incident.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter<\/a> to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.<\/p>\n Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast<\/a> to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.<\/p>\n Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n