Judgment Deferred: Wander Franco's Free Pass The news that Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been declared criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, but will not serve any jail time due to "particular circumstances" that rendered him a "material victim," is a staggering example of judicial leniency.
A Dominican judge's decision to grant Franco a judicial pardon on Monday has sparked widespread outrage and raised questions about the true nature of justice in the baseball world.
The facts of the case are disturbing: Franco, then 22 years old, allegedly engaged in a four month relationship with a 14 year old girl, transferring thousands of dollars to her mother as part of an extortion scheme.