Embattled New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker’s lawyers are steeping forward today to protect their client from what they believe will be more biased treatment.
Baker, 22, a 2019 first-round draft pick of the Giants, has been charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault stemming from an incident this past week at a house party in Miramar, Florida.
Baker was arraigned along with his alleged accomplice, Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quinton Dunbar, on Sunday and released on $200,000 bond.
Baker has been mandated by the court to remain in the state of Florida until his trial, of which the date has not been set. He was also directed to hand over any firearms that he owns. His lawyers are hedging on both of those mandates.
Baker wants to return to New Jersey, but the Giants’ facility is not open as of yet due to the COVID-19 restrictions, so he can’t really return there even if he were allowed.
He has also been told by the Giants that they do not want him to participate in any virtual meetings via Zoom until further notice while he is focusing on his legal issues.
“They [the court] don’t want to stop the kid from working,” said Patrick G. Patel, Baker’s attorney on NFL matters. “That’s his life. They release more criminals that have already been found guilty. This kid is not guilty. He has a constitutional right.”
Patel also told NJ Advance Media that Baker has continued his “complete training regimen” and would like to return to New Jersey as soon as “it is safe to travel up there.”
In addition, Baker’s attorneys have filed a motion to suppress the submission of Baker’s registered handgun because they fear witnesses will mistake the weapon for one that was used in the robbery.
“We have concerns because we don’t believe any of the witnesses in this case,” Patel said. “If we just turn the gun in, they’re just going to say, ‘Well, that’s the gun.’ You know what I mean? If we don’t [turn the gun in], they can say it’s a black gun, then it turns out to be a blue gun. It further adds to my suspicion that this is a shakedown.”
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