The trial of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, scheduled to begin Thursday, was once rescheduled to June 2, 2025, as a result of the loss of availability of witnesses.
Franco is dealing with fees of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation in opposition to a minor and human trafficking within the Dominican Republic. If convicted, he may well be sentenced to as much as two decades in jail.
ESPN reported Thursday that most effective 3 of the 36 witnesses scheduled to take the stand had been within the court in Puerto Plata. The opposite witnesses had now not been positioned. Franco was once provide within the court.
Franco, 23, was once a emerging MLB megastar in August 2023 when he put on administrative depart amid allegations he had engaged in a courting with a then-14-year-old woman — the month following his first All-Famous person variety. He was once moved the MLB’s limited checklist in July and stays the topic of an MLB investigation.
Franco discovered new bother closing month when he was once arrested on fees of unlawful use and ownership of a firearm following an altercation within the Dominican Republic. A court docket date is pending if so.
Franco stays underneath contract to the Rays, who signed him to an 11-year, $182 million contract extension in 2021. He isn’t paid whilst at the MLB limited checklist.
–Box Stage Media