This case angers me. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth got a 30-day jail sentence for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk. It is an outrageous sentence, and shows how easy it is to manipulate the legal system if you are a celebrity and have money. He should have gotten significant prison time.
Stallworth, 28, also reportedly reached a confidential financial settlement with the family of the victim, Mario Reyes, 59, a construction worker killed early on March 14 by Stallworth, who was driving a Bentley after a night of drinking.
Even the prosecutor was in the bag for Stallworth. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said Stallworth did not have a previous criminal record, cooperated with authorities and willingly accepted responsibility for his actions. In addition, the victim's family wanted to put the case behind them.
But the victim's family shouldn't be determining a sentence, athough they rightfully should be heard, and their wishes considered. This case is the State of Florida vs. Donte' Stallworth and not the Family of Mario Reyes vs. Donte' Stallworth. There's a reason for this. It's a crime against the community and not just the victim or his family. Society has an interest in a fair outcome, or our legal system becomes meaningless.
The message out of this case is that you can drive drunk, kill someone, take responsibility for it, give the victim's family money and then get a mere 30 days in jail.
At least the NFL knows something about justice. The league on Thursday indefinitely suspended Stallworth because of the case.
A foot ball player killing while drunk driving seems to be OK with Fresnans except for Jim Boren? That's extremely thought-provoking. Granite people?
When I heard the sentence I was a little shocked as well. I can appreciate a first offense but this was manslaughter clear and simple. In the U.S. manslaughter can vary from as little as a year to ten years. There are some states that might have longer sentences, and a few that might consider it, depending on the circumstances, so unintentional as to warrant no jail time at all. But when drunk driving is the cause, the sentence should not be lenient.
I'm not convinced his celebrity is the reason he got out easy though. After all he plays for Cleveland and this happened in Florida. But I think the [probably huge] money to the family played a big part. And no, I don't think anyone should be able to buy their way out.
There'll be more discussion on this after we fix the downtown, I'm sure.
my cousin killed someone in his car and was"nt drinking at all.. He got 5 to 15..
It's a tragic situation indeed and I believe Mr. Stallworth should be commended for stopping and accepting responsibility for his actions, albeit they were poor choices.
Though not to make light of the situation, it was a damn good thing Mr. Reyes was not walking with his dog at the time because Mr. Stallworth would not have been able to accept responsibility for the life of an animal according to PETA.
Mr. Stallworth should be commended for stopping ......
Leaving the scene of the accident (Hit and Run) is a felony. Congratulating for not being a criminal is a new wrinkle in our moral and legal ethic.