Acquitted co-defendant in Ray Lewis case from 2000 talks about the crime scene and the killings in Atlanta but doesn't want to say who did it. 
Ray Lewis testifies in June 2000 during the murder trial of Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting. (Photo: KIMBERLY SMITH, AFP/Getty Images) Story Highlights - Reginald Oakley accompanied the NFL linebacker to the nightclub in Atlanta for infamous Super Bowl party in 2000
- Oakley also accompanied Lewis the previous day to sporting goods store where knives were purchased
- After previously attempting to sell a book about the killings, Oakley said he is coming out with a new book with new information
Thirteen years since his acquittal on murder charges, Reginald Oakley still doesn't want to say who stabbed two men to death on Jan. 31, 2000.
Was Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis involved in the murders?
"I can't answer that," Oakley told USA TODAY Sports
Did Oakley kill anybody and get away with it at trial?
"I can't answer that," he said.
Oakley, 44, avoids giving away too much information because he says he plans to release a book about it this summer called Memories of Murder. In the book, he said he will provide those answers and his own eyewitness account of the crime scene that morning outside a nightclub in Atlanta .
DIVIDED: Hometown split on opinion of Ray Lewis
The crime remains unsolved but now is getting new attention — and rekindling emotions — as Lewis prepares to play in his final NFL game in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3. The game will come 13 years after Lewis and his friends took a limousine to their own Super Bowl party .
They just wanted to have good time, Oakley says. Instead, two men were fatally stabbed several times in the heart and upper body. Oakley, Lewis and another friend, Joseph Sweeting, were charged with their murders.
In the end, only one person received a conviction in the case — Lewis, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction of justice. The other two — Oakley and Sweeting — were acquitted at trial. Oakley lives in Atlanta, Sweeting in Miami.
"I can tell it like this, not that I owe (Lewis) any type of protection," Oakley said this week. "What happened, it wasn't our fault what happened. It happened, but we didn't instigate none of what happened. We had a great time and were on our way to the limousine to go back to our hotel, and those guys came out, for whatever reason. I think it was to rob (Lewis) because it was a dark alley and they were standing at the alley. I think it was just an opportunity for them to do whatever they had in mind."
THE VICTIMS: Families have a different view of the killings
Oakley, who did not testify at trial, won't say who did what but will say he believes Lewis was targeted "because of the way he was dressed" and that it all started when Lewis had a confrontation with the victims, possibly after one of them called Lewis a name.
"They exchanged words then, and it just went from there," Oakley said.
In exchange for his murder charge being dropped, Lewis testified for the prosecution at trial. Yet he never directly linked his friends to the killings, helping lead to their acquittals.
Lewis admitted to lying to police in the case, which led to his misdemeanor guilty plea. In his testimony, he also admitted to going to a sporting goods store the day before with Oakley and Sweeting, who purchased knives there. Blood from one of the victims was found in Lewis' limousine after they had fled the crime scene. The white suit Lewis was wearing that night never was found.
FBI agent Peter McFarland said at a pre-trial hearing that he found stains on Lewis' pillow and bathrobe at his hotel room afterward, stains he believed to be blood. At trial, Lewis testified the blood on his pillow stemmed from a football injury, and that he didn't know how blood got on the robe.
He has denied stabbing anybody and said he didn't know who killed the victims.
PHOTOS: Ray Lewis through the years 
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, right, celebrates with Vonta Leach after the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. Matt Slocum, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ray Lewis celebrates with the Lamar Hunt Trophy in the locker room after the Ravens defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is tackled by Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) celebrates after the AFC divisional playoff game against the Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens won 38-35 in double overtime. Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) lines up as Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning gets ready to take the snap during the second quarter of the AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field. Chris Humphreys. USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) in overtime against the Broncos during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 38-35 in double overtime. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis pumps up the crowd during a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Lewis announced that he will retire after 17 seasons with the Ravens. Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
After missing the final 10 games of the 2012 regular season, Lewis returned for the Ravens' wild-card playoff matchup against the Colts, his final home game in Baltimore. Lewis' signature entrance gave the 70,000 fans at M&T Bank Stadium goosebumps. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
The heart and soul of the Ravens for 17 seasons, Lewis fires up the team before his final home game. Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Lewis shares a moment with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell before his final home game. Patrick Semansky, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Lewis brings down Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, one of Lewis' team-high 13 tackles during his final home game. Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Lewis salutes the Baltimore fans after the Ravens defeated the Colts in his final home game. Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
The Baltimore crowd pays homage to Lewis during his final home game with the Ravens. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Tributes to Lewis were all over M&T Bank Stadium during his final home game in Baltimore. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ray Lewis, shown here during the game against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium, missed 10 games in 2012 with a torn right tricep. Lewis is a 13-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-team all pro and two-time NFL defensive player of the year. James Lang, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field before the game against Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Paul Frederiksen, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ray Lewis comes on to the field during player introductions before game against the Houston Texans. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ray Lewis dances before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half of the 2010 AFC Wild Card playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Stew Milne, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is introduced before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. James Lang, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) loses control of the ball when he is hit by Baltimore Ravens safety Bawan Landry (26) and linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the second quarter against the at Qualcomm Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field against the Giants. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates Baltimore's 26-20 victory over Cincinnati. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis before the AFC Wild Card Game against the Tennessee Titans. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ray Lewis celebrates after the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis was named theSuper Bowl MVP. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ray Lewis is introduced before the AFC Championship game between Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Ray Lewis celebrates after the Ravens' victory over the Titans in the AFC divisional playoff game. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis dances after he came up with a loose ball during the AFC Wild Card Game. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 21-3.
Ray Lewis testifies in June 2000 during the murder trial of Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting. (Photo: KIMBERLY SMITH, AFP/Getty Images) Thirteen years since his acquittal on murder charges, Reginald Oakley still doesn't want to say who stabbed two men to death on Jan. 31, 2000. Was Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis involved in the murders? "I can't answer that," Oakley told USA TODAY Sports Did Oakley kill anybody and get away with it at trial? "I can't answer that," he said. Oakley, 44, avoids giving away too much information because he says he plans to release a book about it this summer called Memories of Murder. In the book, he said he will provide those answers and his own eyewitness account of the crime scene that morning outside a nightclub in Atlanta . DIVIDED: Hometown split on opinion of Ray Lewis The crime remains unsolved but now is getting new attention — and rekindling emotions — as Lewis prepares to play in his final NFL game in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3. The game will come 13 years after Lewis and his friends took a limousine to their own Super Bowl party . They just wanted to have good time, Oakley says. Instead, two men were fatally stabbed several times in the heart and upper body. Oakley, Lewis and another friend, Joseph Sweeting, were charged with their murders. In the end, only one person received a conviction in the case — Lewis, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction of justice. The other two — Oakley and Sweeting — were acquitted at trial. Oakley lives in Atlanta, Sweeting in Miami. "I can tell it like this, not that I owe (Lewis) any type of protection," Oakley said this week. "What happened, it wasn't our fault what happened. It happened, but we didn't instigate none of what happened. We had a great time and were on our way to the limousine to go back to our hotel, and those guys came out, for whatever reason. I think it was to rob (Lewis) because it was a dark alley and they were standing at the alley. I think it was just an opportunity for them to do whatever they had in mind." THE VICTIMS: Families have a different view of the killings Oakley, who did not testify at trial, won't say who did what but will say he believes Lewis was targeted "because of the way he was dressed" and that it all started when Lewis had a confrontation with the victims, possibly after one of them called Lewis a name. "They exchanged words then, and it just went from there," Oakley said. In exchange for his murder charge being dropped, Lewis testified for the prosecution at trial. Yet he never directly linked his friends to the killings, helping lead to their acquittals. Lewis admitted to lying to police in the case, which led to his misdemeanor guilty plea. In his testimony, he also admitted to going to a sporting goods store the day before with Oakley and Sweeting, who purchased knives there. Blood from one of the victims was found in Lewis' limousine after they had fled the crime scene. The white suit Lewis was wearing that night never was found. FBI agent Peter McFarland said at a pre-trial hearing that he found stains on Lewis' pillow and bathrobe at his hotel room afterward, stains he believed to be blood. At trial, Lewis testified the blood on his pillow stemmed from a football injury, and that he didn't know how blood got on the robe. He has denied stabbing anybody and said he didn't know who killed the victims. PHOTOS: Ray Lewis through the years Story Highlights
