Update: DeAndre Baker legal issues tangled, libel and slander case pending

DeAndre Baker remains separated from the New York Giants in the aftermath of an alleged May 13 incident in Miramar, Fla., amid a web of growing legal issues.

The 22-year-old Baker has pleaded innocent to four counts of armed robbery with a firearm along with four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, but the former Georgia All-American remains in limbo as the case plays out.

Baker and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar — who also pleaded innocent to charges stemming from the same alleged May 13 incident — were released from a Broward County (Fla.) jail on Sunday after posting bond.

Baker ($200,000 bond) and Dunbar ($100,000) were released on the condition they not leave the state of Florida, per the New York Daily News.

Twitter twist

The most recent twist in their case involves conflict between the players’ attorneys that could lead to Baker suing Dunbar’s attorney for libel and slander.

Attorney Patrick G. Patel, who represents Baker, has filled the New York press with statements this week and is now setting his sights on Dunbar attorney Michael Grieco.

Grieco posted tweets with hopes of providing evidence that would clear Dunbar. But in doing so, Patel suggests Grieco wrongly implicated Baker.

1/2 If, according to the accusers, our client Quinton Dunbar lost a bunch of money earlier in the week at some gambling party (suggesting he had motive)..why did the organizer text Dunbar about not knowing about the prior party and what went down? Answer: because he wasn’t there. pic.twitter.com/X5em5EmQRB
— Michael Grieco (@Mike_Grieco) May 20, 2020

2/2 So, did the “victims” accuse the wrong guy of robbery or did they fabricate this motive just like they did the whole rest of the case? Good thing I can account for Quinton’s whereabouts all 3 days prior to the alleged robbery for good measure.
— Michael Grieco (@Mike_Grieco) May 20, 2020

“Baker is going to immediately file a lawsuit against Grieco for libel and slander, making everybody believe that Baker is in that picture, because his name is in the text,’’ Patel told The New York Post.

“The text is complete bulls–t. Read the text. You can say anybody is that person.

“DeAndre has no knowledge of anybody in those texts, who sent it, to who,’’ Patel said. “Let the guy come forward. I cannot wait to get Grieco on the stand and cross-examine him on how he got that text, who he got the text from.’’

Madden alibi

Patel also told the New York post that Baker was playing the Madden video football game at the party where the alleged incident occurred.

According to Patel, Baker brought his own game console and that could prove proof that shows he was online when the situation cited in a Miramar (Fla.) Police report took place.

According to a Miramar Police Department warrant, Baker and Dunbar were at a house party the evening of May 13 when 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 in total states that 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 last Sunday night (May 17).

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

Salary details

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. His 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 found guilty.

According to the SI Giants Country website, Baker is looking at weeks if not months of court hearings, triggering a closer look at potential salary cap ramifications should the team take action.

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