Wander Franco spoke out in court for the first time as his sexual abuse trial got underway in the Dominican Republic on Monday. The Rays shortstop has been accused of sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor, and prosecutors have said that they that Franco committed the crime and then attempted to buy off the victims mother. Franco has maintained his innocence against the allegations, which and have forced him away from the game of baseball since. Wander Franco, accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl, attends the first se sion of trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, 02 June 2025. Luis Tavarez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Wander Franco (L), accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl, attends the first se sion of trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, 02 June 2025. Luis Tavarez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Ive heard everything theyre saying [during the reading of the indictment], but the only thing Im going to say is [I hope] justice is done, Franco told the court at the start of the trial on Monday, according to Franco also told the court, Let justice be done, before thanking the judges for the opportunity to speak, The former MLB All-Star is facing charges of sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking after a judge ruled in September that the prosecution had enough evidence to move to trial. Explore More Dominican prosecutors have continued to reiterate that Franco kidnapped the victim for sexual purposes for several Langston Galloway Jersey days and had then given the mother large sums of money in order to prevent her from reporting him. The victims mother is facing charges of money laundering and is under house arrest for her role. The abuse lasted eight months while the girls mother benefited from Franco sending her money in order to keep her quiet, prosecutors allege. Shortstop Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws out Zack Short of the Detroit Tigers at first base during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on August 5, 2023. Getty Images Francos defense team argued in court on Monday that the prosecution does not have any evidence to prove their case and claimed the accusations are flawed, ESPN Deportes reported. The baseball player is facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted and the trial could take up to eight months to conclude, Unlike the United States, there are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic, and the case is being heard by a panel of three judges who listen to arguments and witne s testimony before analyzing the evidence and making a ruling. Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a two run homer against the Yankees in 2023. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Judges Jakayra Veras, Venecia Rojas and Jos Juan Jimnez are presiding over the case, per ESPN Deportes. Allegations of misconduct came in the form of social media posts on Aug. 13, 2023, that went viral and alleged Franco had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Franco has not spoken publicly about the allegations other than saying everything is in Gods hands after a hearing in September and that the allegations first surfaced. They say that Im in public with a little girl, that Im running around with a minor, Franco said in the social media video in Spanish, per the Tampa Bay Times. People dont know what to do with their time. They dont know what theyre talking about. Thats why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anybody because people go sip and talk smack. Jalen Lecque Jersey