Andre Boggs is one of several former Rutgers football players charged in a series of violent crimes in the spring.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- The attorney for former Rutgers football player Andre Boggs continued to assail the home invasion charges against his client, even as the county prosecutor said the likelihood of conviction was "excellent."
"Cases like these have warts all over," said Jim Donohue, who is representing the 20-year-old Pennsylvania native in his efforts to have his $600,000 bail reduced.
Donohue argued at length that neither the alleged victims -- drug dealers -- nor Boggs' co-defendants could be trusted.
Assistant Middlesex County prosecutor Christopher Kuberiet said after a bail hearing Friday: "I don't try my cases in the press."
He told the judge that the first-degree armed robbery charges against Boggs argued for a significant bail amount.
"There can't be any more serious offense, besides homicide," Kuberiet said.
Superior Court Judge Dennis Nieves said he was likely to reduce Boggs' bail when he issues a ruling, but not to $50,000 with a 10 percent option, as Donohue requested.
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Boggs is one of seven people charged in a series of home invasions that hit fellow Rutgers University students last winter and spring. He was kicked off the team and placed on suspension from school after the charges against him were announced.
He is charged with three counts of armed robbery and armed burglary, as well as conspiracy.
Authorities say he participated in home invasions last spring on Hartwell Street and Prosper Street in New Brunswick and the Livingston campus in Piscataway. In one incident, the alleged assailants used a firearm to threaten residents, demanding marijuana and cash, prosecutors have said.
In another, they used a knife and a bat. Former football players Lloyd Terry and Tejay Johnson have also been charged in the home invasions. Dylan Mastriana and Jianan Chen are accused of planning the crimes. All have entered not-guilty pleas.
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Kuberiet said two co-defendants and one of the alleged victims have identified Boggs as a participant in the crimes. He previously said that a fingerprint led police to Johnson.
Boggs' attorney, who spoke for more than a half an hour, tried to poke holes in the state's case: The co-defendants might be seeking immunity, he said.
"Their word is worth very little," he said.
He asked whether any of the victims have been prosecuted or investigated for dealing drugs, amplifying remarks he made during Boggs' arraignment.
"Are they being coddled?" Donohue asked. He also questioned how Boggs was allegedly identified by a victim: by his voice and the way he walked. The robbers were wearing ski masks.
The bail motion Friday included seven letters attesting to Boggs' character, including one from a 12-year-old boy Boggs mentored and one from Dean Kevin Driscoll, a coach at Boggs' Connecticut prep school. Boggs was set to start at cornerback for the Rutgers football team two days before his arrest.
Because his mother is on dialysis and he has deep ties to his Pennsylvania town, Boggs is not likely to skip court appearances, Donohue argued. About a dozen family members were in attendance.
"He has everything to lose and nothing to gain by not coming back here," Donohue said.
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.