Full Breakdown
New Trial Ordered for Tampa Bay Rays Shortstop Wander Franco
12/9/2025, 11:00:16 PM
Overview of the Case
An appeals court in the Dominican Republic has ordered a new trial for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who was previously convicted of sexually abusing a minor. The court's decision comes after Franco's legal team argued for the suspension of his conviction and sentencing, which had resulted in a two-year suspended sentence. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison term for Franco, who was arrested in January 2024 after being accused of engaging in a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl.
Key Details of the Conviction
Franco was found guilty in June 2024 of sexually abusing the minor, while also being acquitted of charges related to sexual and commercial exploitation and human trafficking. The court also convicted the girl's mother of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering, sentencing her to ten years in prison. The initial trial revealed that Franco allegedly transferred thousands of dollars to the girl's mother to gain her consent for the relationship.
Legal Proceedings and Statements
Teodosio Jáquez, Franco's attorney, highlighted that the appeals court identified "many flaws, many omissions, many issues" in the original trial, prompting the decision for a new trial with a different panel of judges. José Martínez Montan, the district attorney for Puerto Plata, expressed confidence in the evidence presented during the first trial, stating, "In a new trial, the procedures will be reevaluated. We won the case in the first trial, and we expect the same in the new trial."
Impact on Franco's Career
Since the allegations surfaced, Franco has not played for the Rays, with his last game occurring on August 12, 2023. Following his placement on Major League Baseball's restricted list, he has not received any salary or service time, despite being under an 11-year, $182 million contract signed in November 2021. The ongoing legal issues have significantly impacted his career trajectory, as he was once considered a rising star in the league, finishing third in the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year voting and earning an All-Star selection in 2022.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the appeals court has ordered a new trial, the timeline for when this trial will commence remains unclear. Additionally, Franco faces separate legal challenges, including a gun-related charge stemming from an incident in November 2024. The outcomes of these proceedings may further complicate his situation, as MLB is expected to conduct its own investigation under its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, regardless of the criminal proceedings' outcomes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The court understood that there were many flaws, many omissions…many issues, and decided to send the case to a new trial,” — Teodosio Jáquez, Franco’s Attorney
- “In a new trial, the procedures will be reevaluated. We won the case in the first trial, and we expect the same in the new trial.” — José Martínez Montan, District Attorney for Puerto Plata
