Ten of 13 people accused of attempting to murder David “Big Papi” Ortiz in the Dominican Republic in 2019 were sentenced Monday in a Santo Domingo courtroom, but the alleged mastermind of the plot was acquitted.
Rolfi Ferreyra Cruz, who is accused of shooting Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame In a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia and Eddy were both sentenced to 30 years in prison. Eight other defendants were sentenced between 5 and 20 years in prison by the First Collegiate Court of Santo Domingo.
Three defendants were acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence, including Victor Hugo Gomez Vasquez, accused of having organized the plot.
Ortiz was shot in the back at close range while having a drink with friends, including local TV host Jhoel Lopez. The police first arrested Eddy Feliz Garcia, Cruz’s driver, who was chased to the bar by a mob of Ortiz supporters and beaten relentlessly until the police arrived.
David Ortiz is shown in the center of this image with friends including Joel Lopez (far left), hours before he was shot. As a result, Ortiz spent six weeks in a Boston hospital and had to undergo three surgeries, including one to remove his gallbladder.
his combination of photos provided by the Dominican Republic National Police on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 show suspects in connection with the shooting of former Red Sox star David Ortiz in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Police identify the men as, top from left, Rolfy Ferreyra, who has been identified as the shooter, Joel Rodriguez Cruz, Oliver Moises Mirabal Acosta and Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia. Bottom row from left, Polfirio Allende Dechamps Vazquez, Luis Alfredo Rivas Clase and Reynaldo Rodriguez Valenzuela. All the men except Rivas Clase were arrested
The plan, according to Dominican authorities, was to target Sixto David Fernandez on June 9, 2019. But Fernandez was sitting at a table with Ortiz and the shooters confused the two. A three-judge panel agreed that the shooters were targeting Sixto Fernández, but no motive was established.
As a result, Ortiz spent six weeks in a Boston hospital and had to undergo three surgeries, including one to remove his gallbladder.
Speaking to Diario Libre, one of the country’s leading newspapers, Ortiz did not appear angry with the convicted defendants.
“Life sends you messages in such strange ways that it all becomes a learning experience,” Ortiz said. Life changed me but to make things better…even though no one wanted that to happen to them, but I’m one of those people who always take the positive out of anything negative.
“I hope these young people learn from their mistakes and it becomes clear to them that the path they have taken is not right and that is why justice punishes them.
“As I said before, I forgave them and healed physically and mentally and this is the best option.”
Full sentences will be read on February 8.
Rolfy Ferreyra, pictured after his arrest in 2019, was sentenced to 30 years for the shooting.
Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia, pictured after his arrest in 2019, was also sentenced to 30 years for serving as a motorcycle driver. He was attacked by Ortiz’s friends after the shooting
Three defendants were acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence, including Victor Hugo Gomez Vasquez (photo), accused of organizing the plot.
Ortiz is seen sitting in the club (left) before being shot and falling to the ground (right)
David Ortiz showed up in 2019 hours before he was shot with his friend Jhoel Lopez
A year ago, Ortiz was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Ortiz, 46, received 77.9% of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) vote in his first year on the ballot — slightly above the 75% required to be inducted.
Big Papi was one of baseball’s most recognizable faces in the 2000s and 2010s. His enormous grind endeared him to fans, but the Dominican’s hulking frame threatened pitchers, especially in the later innings. He had 23 late game hits, including three in the 2004 playoffs, as Boston ended an 86-year World Series drought.
Ortiz batted .286 with 541 homers with Boston and Minnesota while making 88% of his plate appearances as a designated hitter, the most by anyone in the Hall.
The three-time World Series winner remained in public view in retirement as a studio analyst for Fox Sports playoff coverage.
He was sidelined briefly after filming in 2019, but returned to the air during the playoffs four months later.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, right, and Detroit Tigers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia watch as Ortiz’s three-run home run is stolen in the third inning of a baseball game on July 26, 2016, at the Boston’s Fenway Park. Ortiz was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
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