A lawyer for DeAndre Baker said the New York Giants’ cornerback has “got an opportunity to become the next Ray Lewis and not the next Ray Rice.”
The remarks by attorney Patrick G. Patel came in an exclusive interview Sunday night with SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano.
"There's two guys who went in two different directions,” Patel told Vacchiano. “I told DeAndre that. And he seems very focused. He's scared straight. I can say that."
Baker is charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm in relation to an incident that allegedly took place on Wednesday night at a party in Miramar, FL. After turning himself in on Saturday, he was released Sunday on $200,000 bond. He was also reportedly told by the Giants to stay away from virtual team meetings for now.
Lewis was tried for murder in connection with the stabbing deaths of two men at a post-Super Bowl part on Jan. 31, 2000. Lewis reached a plea agreement and was sentenced only to 12 months probation for misdemeanor obstruction of justice. He went on to play 12 more years in the NFL as one of the game’s best inside linebackers and is now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Rice has not played in the NFL since 2013 after a Feb. 15, 2014 incident in which he and his then-fiancee were arrested and charged with assault. Video showed Rice punching her in the face and then dragging her unconscious body out of a hotel elevator. Rice was indicted, but charges were dropped and he and Janay Palmer eventually married. Rice was suspended for only two games, but was cut by the Ravens.
Patel told Vacchiano the case against Baker is “complete garbage.”
“There was no robbery,” Patel said. “Nothing at all. He’s absolutely taking that position. And I’m confident the state is going to look at all the facts and realize it’s absurd that a kid making $2 million a year is going to steal a fake watch.” ...
“The situation is simple: Dre was the first-round draft choice at the party,” Patel said. “There were no other first-round draft picks. [Quinton] Dunbar is an NFL athlete too. These two guys were the marks.”
Patel also told Vacchiano that Baker could rejoin the virtual Giants’ meetings as early as next week.
“He seems like changed individual,” Patel said. “In two days. Sometimes going to jail does that. He’s scared straight. He’s completely focused on what he has to do. He’s just going back to work. And he’s certainly looking forward to nobody taking his position. He doesn’t want anybody taking his position as the Giants’ starting cornerback.”