DeAndre Baker did attend a party that was marred by an alleged armed robbery police say Baker helped to perpetrate last week, but one of Baker's attorneys, in denying the allegations, put forth a novel alibi claim: video games, specifically "Madden."
Patrick Patel told the New York Post on Tuesday the Giants cornerback came to the party armed only with a game console, controllers and a charger, and not his gun, for which he has a permit.
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"Far from an individual who's going somewhere with an alleged intent to rob somebody, an armed robbery, to go there and hook up his ‘Madden’ game, play the game for over an hour and then leave it there and go home," Patel told the Post.
To hear Patel tell it, Baker "bounced" as soon as he heard a disturbance in another room of the house where the party was taking place May 13. He didn't even bother to take his "Madden" gear with him, Patel added.
"He doesn't have anything to do with the ruckus. He didn't even see it. The only thing he sees is out of the corner of his eye a table getting flipped over and everybody running, screaming and yelling. And he’s out," Patel told the Post.
Patel also told the Post that he is working to back up his claim by gathering electronic evidence that Baker was logged on and playing "Madden" the night of the robbery.
Baker and Seahawks defensive back Quinton Dunbar surrendered to police in Broward County, Fla., last week after arrest warrants were issued. Baker and Dunbar each were charged with four counts of armed robbery with a firearm. Baker was also charged with four counts of aggravated assault. The men are accused of stealing thousands of dollars in cash and watches from partygoers.
Witnesses gave sworn statements to police identifying Dunbar and Baker as perpetrators along with a third man, but the players' attorneys are vigorously challenging the veracity of those statements.
Baker was released from the county jail on Sunday after posting a $200,000 bond. Another of his attorneys, Bradford Cohen, submitted a written plea of not guilty Monday.
Baker could be sentenced to 15 years on each of the armed robbery counts if convicted, the Post noted.
