The trial of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged crimes, will resume on Monday in the Dominican Republic.
The court in Santa Domingo announced the move Tuesday.
After five hearings in which prosecutors and defense attorneys presented their evidence, the judges decided to suspended the trial. The closing arguments and conclusions from each side will be presented in court Monday.
Franco, who was charged in July 2024 and is on supervised release, could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.
“I’m going to feel good, because everything is in God’s hands now,” the 24-year old said while leaving the last hearing.
The judges explained that the adjournment for so many days is to analyze everything presented by the parties to make a decision.
“The Public Prosecutor’s Office has evidence and will present its findings next Monday, June 23, and request the appropriate sentence for each of the accused,” prosecutor Claudio Cordero said at the end of the hearing.
Teodosio Jáquez, Franco’s lawyer, insisted that there is no evidence linking the player to the crimes for which he is accused.
“That young man’s future is being cut short, simply because of comments on social media,” Jáquez added.
Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos ($17,000) to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the purported abuse.
The motherhas been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.
Franco also has been charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.
Franco was in his third season with Tampa Bay when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021.
Franco is currently on Major League Baseball’s restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave.
