By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — A European pro basketballer who had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at the Ritz-Carlton saw charges against him dropped Friday.
Former Fordham hoops star Michael Haynes, 29, walked out of the courthouse on Friday after prosecutors said they could not prove he was involved in the alleged crime on Sunday.
Misdemeanor charges remain pending against Haynes' friend, Brandyn Cooper, a Nike marketing executive from Oregon, who is accused of performing oral and anal sex on the alleged victim while she was sleeping.
Haynes was originally charged with holding her down on the bed while Cooper pursued the unwanted sex acts.
Cooper's lawyer, Michael Kalmus, denied the allegations. He said Cooper was not involved and that Haynes had consensual sex with the woman.
Cooper, 27, was released on his own recognizance Friday afternoon after he and Haynes spent the night in jail.
