Three of the four men who accused former New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker of robbing them at gunpoint at a Florida party earlier this year have recanted their statements, reports ESPN.
Julius Lamar, Steven Compton and Tommy J. Hartshaw said in sworn statements that Baker “did not directly or indirectly participate in any robbery or assist in a robbery at the scene or elsewhere.” The three men added that they didn’t see Baker rob or assault anyone with or without a firearm.
Baker is being prosecuted in Florida on four counts of robbery with a firearm. He was originally charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm after attending a party in Miramar, Florida, in May.
To say that Baker’s case has been odd is an understatement. From Day 1, the entire story has seemed flimsy at best and that only scratches the surface of the intricate ins and outs, which includes some bizarre sting-like operations carried out by his representation.
The Giants ultimately decided to release Baker this past summer after he was placed commissioner’s exempt list.
“Obviously it’s disappointing. And there was nothing in . . . DeAndre’s background that suggest these things would happen,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in September. “It’s disappointing on a variety of levels. And it hurts us because [he is a] talented player as well.
“I guess what it teaches us all is that nothing is 100 percent except death and taxes. . . I’d be a liar if I said anything less. It’s disappointing, but it’s life.”
Baker, a former first-round pick, remains a free agent as his legal battle continues to unfold.
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