Kill a man, only get 30 days in jail

[DetroitStyle]

but there's a catch!

You have to be rich/famous/athlete...

MIAMI – Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth took full responsibility for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida and began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter.

Stallworth also reached a confidential financial settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit from the family of 59-year-old Mario Reyes, according to Stallworth attorney Christopher Lyons. Reyes was struck and killed March 14 by Stallworth, who was driving his black 2005 Bentley after a night drinking at a swanky hotel bar.

Stallworth, 28, told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy that he hopes to get involved in drunken driving education programs.

"I accept full responsibility for this horrible tragedy," said Stallworth, who was accompanied at the hearing by his parents, siblings and other supporters. "I will bear this burden for the rest of my life."

Stallworth faced 15 years in prison. After his release from jail, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation.

The NFL has said it will review the matter for possible disciplinary action. Lyons said the plea agreement will allow Stallworth to resume his football career.

Stallworth also must undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime driver's license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service. Lyons said after five years, Stallworth could win approval for limited driving such as for employment.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle cited Stallworth's lack of previous criminal record, cooperation with police and willingness to accept responsibility as factors in the plea deal. Rundle also said the Reyes family — particularly the victim's 15-year-old daughter — wanted the case resolved to avoid any more pain.

"For all of these reasons, a just resolution of this case has been reached," Rundle said.

None of the Reyes family attended the hearing. Their attorney, Rodolfo Suarez, read a statement saying the family wants to "bring closure to this emotional and tragic event." Suarez was not immediately available to comment after the hearing.

After a night drinking at a bar in Miami Beach's Fountainebleau hotel, police said Stallworth hit Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m. Stallworth told police he flashed his lights in an attempt to warn Reyes, who was not in a crosswalk when he was struck.

Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126 after the crash, well above Florida's .08 limit. Stallworth stopped after the crash and immediately told officers he had hit Reyes. Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. The California native and University of Tennessee college star has also played in the NFL for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

The night before the crash, Stallworth earned a $4.5 million roster bonus from the Browns.

David Cornwell, a Stallworth attorney handling the NFL situation, said he has kept top league officials apprised of the case.

"Whenever it is appropriate to do so, we are prepared to discuss the circumstances under which Donte' will resume his career," Cornwell said.

 

[steve581581]

in his defense he did stop and try to help and admit to it right away... as for the drinking part hes an asshole

 

[Joe]

Reminds me of that POS Reggie Rogers in 1988

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/04/another-dui-for-reggie-rogers/

 

[cjmatt]

thats bullshit...i know im a hyprcrite as ive been busted for DUI, although ive never killed anyone, but I know people who have, and they ALL got at least 3-5, plus 30k+ in restitution.

This sentence is not hard enough

 

[cjmatt]

in his defense he did stop and try to help and admit to it right away... as for the drinking part hes an asshole

thats not a defense. thats called not being a piece of shit

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

If that were us, we'd all be grabbing our ankles for about 15-20 years, not just 30 days.

 

[n8dogg2669]

asshole should rot in jail the rest of his life, whats going to prevent him from doing it again if this is what the punishment for the crime is??? it amazes me what being rich and famous will do for you.. it's like there really are no laws to abide by period..

 

[4 cam tbird]

As far as football goes, the only thing he's good at is being injured.

 

[89five.o]

Wow, that's bullshit.

 

[jdustu]

I'm not absolving Stallworth, but the dude was running into the middle of a street. People get off easy on this shit all the time, famous or not. It obviously helps if you can afford a great lawyer.

 

[TTA]

asshole should rot in jail the rest of his life, whats going to prevent him from doing it again if this is what the punishment for the crime is??? it amazes me what being rich and famous will do for you.. it's like there really are no laws to abide by period..

A judge explained to me once why cash was = to time. It was sorta convoluted but it made sense at the time.
I'll be damned if I can remember it now though.

 

[Swifster]

thats bullshit...i know im a hyprcrite as ive been busted for DUI, although ive never killed anyone, but I know people who have, and they ALL got at least 3-5, plus 30k+ in restitution.

This sentence is not hard enough

Somehow I think the 'undisclosed settlement' will be for a lot more than $30K.

 

[91Notch]

:shake:

 

[b.lee]

that sucks,
if he was in a crosswalk it would be a little different, but 30 days? thats f'd

 

[jdustu]

that sucks,
if he was in a crosswalk it would be a little different, but 30 days? thats f'd

The prosecutors would have had to prove that he wouldn't have hit him if he wasn't intoxicated. He was going 50 in a 40, which is speeding but isn't crazy, on a 6 lane road at 7 in the morning. If you make a habit of doing that, you're going to get hit sooner or later.

If he wasn't intoxicated. he wouldn't have gotten any jail time, although he may have gotten some fines and still had to settle with the family(because he was speeding). The plea deal is a compromise.....He admits guilt, the prosecutors don't have to prove that he could have avoided the accident if he was sober, and the family is also getting a cash settlement.

 

[furian76]

I am pretty sure his settlement arrangement i contingent on him still earning a salary from the nfl for a few more years. They make it almost sound like he will be supporting them for the rest of there lives!

 

[JoeliusZ28]

Im going to say the same thing as i said on another board, i dont see what the problem is with his sentence. He lisence is suspended for life, plus all the other negative press he will get, and fines he has payed.

Most importantly, it was clearly said that the victim ran across the road where he shouldnt have in a 40 zone. I live on a college campus that is 25 mph, and has crosswalks every 100 feet or so, and in 5 years here ive seen 2-3 people get hit on clear sunny days by sober drivers.

What happened here is no different than you paying the state a hefty "impeding traffic" fine to get out of the points. Everything works like that in America, and whether its right or wrong it shouldnt be a surprise. Fact is, everyone does it when they screw up.

He pleaded guilty for DUI he did not plead guilty for manslaughter. I dont know what the law here is, but it said that the law in florida is such that even if the driver is drunk, he is not "automatically" at fault. which is the way it should be.

he manned up and is doing everything he can to correct the situation, i dont see what more he could do. he had no intent to harm anyone unlike Mr Vick who clearly had intent.

 

[jdustu]

he had no intent to harm anyone unlike Mr Vick who clearly had intent.

don't open up that can of worms :lol:

 

[JoeliusZ28]

uh oh, must be some opinions here eh? :lol:

im honestly not too familiar with that situation, so i probably shouldnt have used it as an example. it was just the last thing i thought of that happened with an NFL player. Point is, the guy didnt intend to clip someone in the street. thas'it n thas'all

 

[DRKCYDE]

While what he did is inexcusable, I still wish the Lions would of signed him.

Ravens sign WR Donte’ Stallworth
4 hours, 32 minutes ago

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP)—The Baltimore Ravens say they have signed wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth(notes) to a one-year contract.

Stallworth was recently released by the Cleveland Browns after being reinstated by the NFL following a one-year suspension. He was suspended for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy for a DUI vehicular manslaughter charge.

Stallworth served 30 days in a Miami jail for striking and killing a Miami construction worker with his car while driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Ravens announced the signing Wednesday.

The deal is worth $900,000 with an additional $300,000 in incentives.

“There was a time I felt the mistake I made was the end of the world for me,” Stallworth said in a statement. “I will never get that morning back. It weighs on me every day and will for the rest of my life. What I can do is move forward, try to be a better person, try to convince others not to do what I did and warn others about the dangers of drinking and driving. I have to show otherwise that what happened doesn’t reflect who I am.

“I have to prove that, and, hopefully, I’m on my way to doing that. I know my apology will never be strong enough for some, but I’ve made changes, and I’m trying to be a positive influence. It’s an honor and privilege to play in the NFL, and I’m so thankful for this opportunity.”

Stallworth worked out for the Ravens on Tuesday.

“We’ve given a lot of thought to this and we’ve done extensive research into Donte’ beyond football,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. “He made a huge mistake. There’s no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight. As (Ravens owner) Steve (Bisciotti) has said, we believe in second chances, and Donte’ does deserve that.

“But, we’ve signed him because we want to get better, and we think he has a chance to help us. We worked him out and it’s obvious he is working hard to be effective. We thought it was important to sign him now, because other teams were pursuing him and we want him in our offseason program, which starts next month.”

Stallworth has caught 296 career passes for 4,383 yards and 32 touchdowns.

He has played for the Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and the Browns. He had a career-high 70 catches and 945 yards in 2005.