New Trial Ordered for Wander Franco

PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – A new trial has been mandated by the Dominican Republic’s Court of Appeals for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. This decision follows his earlier conviction for sexually abusing a minor and a subsequent sentence of two years’ probation.

The court’s ruling was delivered after prosecutors sought a five-year prison term, whereas Franco’s defense team pushed for a stay on the conviction and a reversal of the sentence.

Ultimately, the Court of Appeals sided with Franco and designated a new group of judges to handle the case.

“The court recognizes numerous deficiencies, omissions, and various issues related to the previous ruling,” noted Franco’s attorney, Teodosio Jacques.

On the other hand, Jose Martínez Montán, the district attorney from Puerto Plata, expressed his confidence in the evidence presented during the initial trial. He stated, “We won the first trial and anticipate the same outcome with the new trial.”

Franco faced arrest last year over allegations for maintaining a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time and reportedly sending her mother a significant amount of money to facilitate the arrangement.

Back in November 2021, Franco had made headlines by signing a hefty 11-year contract worth $182 million, but his career took a drastic turn in August 2023 when Dominican authorities began investigating him for allegations of an affair with a minor. At that time, he was just 22.

Following his arrest in January 2024, the Tampa Bay Rays added him to the restricted list, which resulted in the termination of his salary during his suspension.

By late June 2024, a three-judge panel found him guilty of sexual abuse against a minor, although he was acquitted of charges involving sexual and commercial exploitation as well as human trafficking.