Giants CB DeAndre Baker was told to stay away from the meetings so he can "focus on his legal issues" after being released from jail on bond, a source familiar with the team's thinking told SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.
Baker, who is facing four charges of armed robbery and four charges of aggravated assault, was released on bond at $200,000 ($25,000 on each count), after a ruling by a Florida judge on Sunday morning.
As conditions of his release, Baker will be required to surrender his carry permit and firearm. Additionally, he will not be allowed to have any contact with the alleged victims in the case. The state asked for no bond.
The Judge also said that if Baker is required to leave the state for work, his ruling could be modified.
Baker's attorney, Bradford Cohen, presented an affidavit during the hearing (which was held remotely) from a witness who recanted his testimony. He said he withheld some affidavits from other witnesses for "a little strategic defense issue."
The affidavit he presented was from a witness who said, according to Cohen, that the alleged crime "did not occur the way alleged victims are alleging it occurred."
According to Cohen, the affidavit from the above witness "gives a consistent statement with the police that nothing occurred. … It's not even included in the warrant that there's an independent witness that says 'None of this actually happened.'"
Baker had turned himself in to authorities at the Broward County jail on Saturday morning, with Cohen releasing a statement via Instagram.
"I am a believer in the system and that if everything works the matter will be appropriately resolved," Cohen said.
Cohen added that both he and Baker appreciated that the Miramar Police Department and the detective working on the case in Florida were "accommodating" and tried to ensure his client's privacy.
"This is my 23rd year in practice defending those who I feel are wrongly charged or wrongly treated," Cohen added in the new post. "That doesn't mean that all police officers are bad or all are good. We all have jobs to do and I believe we all do them to the best of our ability.
"Police reports are just that, reports of what was told to them or said to them. Court is what we use to then examine those reports, investigate those claims and allow the Defendant an opportunity to confront the evidence. Don't rush to judgement."
According to the warrant, Baker and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar (who is also facing four counts of armed robbery), were partying in Miramar, Fla. on Wednesday when an argument broke out. Pointing a semi-automatic weapon, Baker allegedly directed Dunbar and two others to take money and valuables from the others in attendance.
Baker allegedly stole $12,400 in cash from four people and four watches ranging in price from $600 to $25,000 (total value of the watches: $61,100, per the warrant). The warrant said Baker, Dunbar and an unidentified third man wearing a red mask committed the crimes.
The Giants selected Baker in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Georgia. He played in all 16 games for Big Blue last season and made 15 starts.
SNY's Ralph Vacchiano recently broke down the next steps for Baker and the Giants, with NFL and legal sources weighing in.
Video: Big trouble for DeAndre Baker, big test for Joe Judge