Wander Franco’s Court Appearance in Sexual Abuse Trial
Wander Franco, the shortstop for the Rays, made his first statement in court during a sexual abuse trial in the Dominican Republic on Monday.
He faces serious accusations of sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, with prosecutors claiming there is “convincing evidence” that he committed a crime, including trying to bribe the victim’s mother.
Since coming into the spotlight online in August 2023, Franco has consistently proclaimed his innocence regarding these allegations, which have kept him out of baseball games.
“I heard everything they were saying during the reading of the indictment. But what I want to express is [that] I hope justice will be served,” Franco stated to the court at the beginning of the proceedings.
He also said, “Let me do justice,” and thanked the judge for allowing him to speak.
The former MLB All-Star is charged with human trafficking related to the abuse of minors. A judge ruled in September that there was sufficient evidence to take the case to trial.
Prosecutors have suggested that Franco had “invited the victim for sexual purposes multiple times” and allegedly offered the mother a large sum of money to prevent her from reporting him.
Currently, the victim’s mother faces charges of money laundering and is under house arrest due to her involvement.
The abuse reportedly lasted for eight months, during which the girl’s mother allegedly profited from keeping Franco quiet.
In court, Franco’s defense team contended that the prosecution lacked concrete evidence to support their case, labeling the charges as misguided.
If convicted, the baseball player could face up to 20 years in prison, and the trial is expected to last as long as eight months.
Unlike the legal proceedings in the United States, trials in the Dominican Republic are conducted without juries, and a panel of three judges will assess the arguments and evidence before reaching a decision.
Judges Jakayra Veras, Venecia Rojas, and José Juan Jiménez are overseeing the case.
Initial allegations surfaced on August 13, 2023, via a social media post. Since then, Franco has largely avoided public comments about the case, except for a remark made after a hearing in September: “It’s all in God’s hands.”
In a Spanish-language social media video, he expressed confusion about the accusations, saying, “They say I’m seen in public with little girls and minors. People really don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t understand the situation.” He added that he prefers to keep to himself to avoid the gossip that surrounds him.
