New York Giants cornerback Corey Ballentine testifies against Francisco Mendez in Dwane Simmons murder case
New York Giants cornerback Corey Ballentine has testified at a preliminary hearing about a shooting in Kansas that killed his best friend and former Washburn University teammate the day after making his NFL debut.
Dwane Simmons, 23, was shot and killed at a party where they were celebrating Ballentine being the Giants’ sixth round pick on April 27.
Bellentine was injured and missed the Giants rookie camp to recover from his injuries, before making the team a a cornerback and kick returner, performing as the latter yesterday against the Dallas Cowboys.
Francisco Alejandro Mendez, 18, is charged in Shawnee County with first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and seven counts of aggravated robbery in the shooting.
The Washburn players were exiting the party a car with no lights on slowed and turned towards then before gunshots rang out.
“Initially, it was slow,” Bellentine said of the gunfire. “Then it started speeding up after I started running.”
In total, twenty shots were fired at the five players.
Later, Bellentine recounted that he tried to call Simmons, “but he didn’t pick up” and got a ride to the hospital from another player.
Alan Martinez, deputy district coroner for Shawnee County, testified that Simmons died from a single gunshot wound to the forehead.
Mendez has been in jail since his arrest May 1 in connection with three robberies allegedly committed a day before the shootings.
He is being held on $1 million bond.
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