The charges were dropped against Baynes after an unnamed witness recanted "her" story about the shootings that injured five Duquesne basketball players early Sunday, September 17, 2006. Four players are now out of hospital while Sam Ashaolu remains in serious condition in Mercy Hospital.
The two individuals now charged are Derrick Lee, of Pittsburgh, and Erica R. Sager, of Wilkinsburg. Both are in police custody.
Police report that Lee is the second shooter in the incident along with William Holmes, who remains in jail with bail denied. Ms. Sager was charged with five counts of aggravated assault and criminal solicitation.
District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said at the press conference:
"that detectives interviewed a source who observed a 'light-skinned black female' speaking to the five students before they were shot. The woman later spoke to the two men with guns saying, 'Yeah, shoot them. Get them.' On Tuesday, the same source, shown a lineup of six photos, identified the woman as Ms. Sager." (PG)
Tuesday, ex-sophomore Brittany Jones was ordered to stand trial on charges related to the incident. Baynes is expected to be released from jail later this afternoon.
Mr. Baynes, before his arrest, had been taking summer classes at Penn Hills High School in hopes of earning enough credits to graduate and now plans to return to the school.
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