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Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco was supposed to stand trial for sexual abuse and human trafficking lawsuit in the Dominican Republic on Thursday. But instead, that trial has been suspended until June 2 after multiple key witnesses went missing.
According to Margaret Fleming of Front Office Sports, Franco’s lawyers requested that the trial be completed in time for Spring Training. But that request was denied after prosecutors requested a delay due to trouble getting the witnesses to appear in court.
“There is no case against Wander, for as many witnesses as they present, there is no case now,” Franco’s lead lawyer Teodosio Jáquez said.
Wander Franco Appears To Have Thrown Away A Once-Promising MLB Career
Franco was once of the most promising prospects in all of baseball. The Rays gave him an 11-year, $182 million deal in 2021 amidst a breakout rookie season. After a disappointing sophomore campaign in 2022, Franco made the MLB All-Star game for the first time in 2023.
But that’s when things began to take a turn for the worse. Franco suffered an injury and missed much of the back half of the 2023 season. While out injuries, authorities uncovered an alleged improper relationship with a minor. Tampa Bay placed Franco on the exempt list, and he hasn’t played for the team since.
Franco eventually fled from police in his native Dominican Republic. When he was found, police claim he was in possession of an illegal firearm.
He also faces charges of illegal use and possession of said firearm related to his arrest in an armed altercation in the Dominican Republic countryside last month. Officials have not yet set court date for his arraignment related to that case. Prosecutors allege that police found a a Glock with its magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition in Franco’s black Mercedes-Benz at the time of the altercation. Franco did not have a registration for the weapon.
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Publish date : 2024-12-13 04:13:00
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