Attorney: DeAndre Baker ‘scared straight,’ disputes robbery charges

DeAndre Baker has been “scared straight” by his night spent in jail and the situation he finds himself in after being accused of an alleged robbery, per his attorney.

“He seems like changed individual, in two days,“ said Patrick G. Patel, one of the attorneys who has represented Baker since the alleged incident took place on Wednesday night in Miramar, Fla.

Baker and Dunbar are not allowed to leave the state of Florida, as a condition of release.

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Patel, currently hosting Baker at his home in Florida, told SNY the plan is to eventually petition the court to transfer the bond to New Jersey so Baker can rejoin the Giants.

House party allegations

According to a Miramar Police Department warrant, Baker and Dunbar were at a house party the evening of May 13. Baker allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic weapon and began pointing it at a guest after an argument broke out.

The warrant states Baker told two other individuals to take money and valuables from the party guests. The police report states four watches valued from $600 to $25,000, along with $12,800 in cash, were taken.

The arrest warrant also states that someone walked into the party and at that point Baker directed a man in a red mask to shoot a person, but there was no mention of shots fired.

Patel dismissed the case as “complete garbage” during an exclusive interview with SNY on Sunday night.

According to Baker’s attorney, four of the witnesses have recanted their testimony.

Patel suggested in his SNY interview that Baker and Dunbar were victims of a “shakedown.”

“The situation is simple: Dre (Baker) was the first-round draft choice at the party,” Patel said. “There were no other first-round draft picks. Dunbar is an NFL athlete too. These two guys were the marks.”

Further, Patel said, “Someone should look into the record of the four  individuals (witnesses who testified against Baker). It’s longer than a football field.”

Money at stake

Baker was a first-round pick of the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft, the first cornerback taken when selected No. 30 overall.

Baker’s four-year contract with worth $10.52 million with more than $9 million guaranteed including a $5.675 million signing bonus, per spotrac.

The contract  contains a conduct clause, and a portion of it could be voided if Baker is found guilty.

The New York Giants have reportedly told Baker to stay away from the team’s virtual meetings, per the New York Daily News.

The New York Post reported on Friday the charges Baker is facing trigger the league’s Personal Conduct Policy, which in the past have led to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell making a disciplinary ruling.

Patel said he expects Baker to rejoin the Giants’ meetings as early as next week, and when he does, the franchise will see a “changed man.”

Rough rookie year

ESPN reported Baker fell asleep in team meetings during his rookie season and was called out by teammates.

“At one point, he got called out in a team meeting, and his seven touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender was tied for fourth in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats,” ESPN reported.

“There are questions about Baker’s desire to be great. Sleeping in meetings was not uncommon.”

Patel told SNY that Baker acknowledges he had a “rough year,” but he’s now ready to apply himself.

“He’s completely focused on what he has to do,” Patel said. “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.”

Baker started 34 games over his four years at Georgia, serving as a game captain his senior season en route to winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back.

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