An appeals court in the Dominican Republic has decided to order a new trial for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who had been convicted earlier this year of sexually abusing a minor. Franco had received a two-year suspended sentence following this conviction. The court’s ruling came Tuesday, following requests from Franco’s legal team to suspend the conviction and overturn the sentencing, while prosecutors had sought a five-year prison term.
In its decision, the court recognized several “flaws, omissions, and issues” in the original trial, compelling it to initiate a new hearing. Teodosio Jáquez, representing Franco, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing the court’s acknowledgment of significant problems in the case.
On the other side, the district attorney for Puerto Plata, José Martínez Montan, expressed his strong belief in the validity of the evidence submitted during the initial trial. He remains optimistic about the upcoming proceedings, stating, “We won the case in the first trial, and we expect the same in the new trial.”
The charges against Franco stemmed from accusations that he engaged in a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl, during which he allegedly transferred thousands of dollars to her mother to secure her consent for this illegal relationship. The allegations led to Franco’s arrest in January 2024, following an investigation that had commenced earlier that year. This scandal took a toll on his professional career, resulting in the Tampa Bay Rays placing him on the restricted list, thereby halting his salary.
In June, a panel of three judges found Franco guilty of sexually abusing a minor but acquitted him of charges related to sexual exploitation and human trafficking. In addition, the panel found the girl’s mother guilty of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering, sentencing her to 10 years in prison. One judge had notably criticized the mother during the trial, questioning her motives when she sought financial support from Franco for her daughter’s education and other needs.
As part of Tuesday’s ruling, the appeals court also granted a new trial to the girl’s mother, indicating that both cases will now undergo further judicial scrutiny. The appeals process represents a crucial moment for Franco, whose lucrative contract with the Rays—an 11-year deal worth $182 million signed in November 2021—now hangs in the balance as the situation continues to unfold.
