Sep 10, 2019

New York Giants player testifies at Kan. murder suspect's hearing

Posted Sep 10, 2019 6:00 PM

Corey Ballentine photo Washburn Athletics


TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — New York Giants cornerback Corey Ballentine has testified at a preliminary hearing about the fatal shooting of his best friend and former Washburn University teammate.


Ballentine testified Monday, a day after making his NFL debut. He was wounded April 27 in Topeka in the shooting that killed 23-year-old Dwane Simmons, just hours after the Giants drafted Ballentine. Ballentine testified in a preliminary hearing for 18-year-old Alejandro Mendez, of Topeka, who is charged with first-degree murder and 11 other counts.


He recounted how he, Simmons and others were standing outside a house when a car stopped nearby and began firing at the group. Simmons, a defensive back who would have been a senior this fall, was killed. Ballentine was shot in the buttocks. After the hearing, Mendez was bound over for trial.