Stallworth pleads guilty, gets 30 days in jail
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MIAMI (AP)—Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth(notes) 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.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver…
AP - Jun 16, 12:20 pm EDT
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.
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.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver…
AP - Jun 16, 12:20 pm EDT
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.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Boss/MadamBA on -
30 days for drunk driving and killing someone? Damn...
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Permalink Reply by CoutureBarbie2 on -
Muthafucking bullshit (yeah I said it!!)
Vick lost everything behind some damn dogs..
and this nucca gets 30 days in jail, a fine and some community service.
WTF?!
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Permalink Reply by Damnstraight on -
WOW
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Permalink Reply by Sheli on -
That is backwards as hell. I think because Stallworth was so "willing" to cooperate he got off easy. Vick didn't give himself up on his own, someone else implicated him, so I guess the system made a poor example of him. Its sad when taking the life some animals carry more punishment than the life of a human being...and they wonder why its so easy for people to kill and take life for granted.
But, I guess, in some sort of way I'm glad he doesn't have to any major time, we have enough black men in jail, and the fact that the family isn't objecting means they feel the time he received and the financial payment they received are fair.
(Sorry don't mean to offend all of the stong animal lovers that may be here)
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Permalink Reply by Boss/MadamBA on
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Yeah...i'm a serious dog lover. I was at a restaurant and they bought my dog water before me.
Animals shouldn't mean more than a human life. That is crazy...
(even though I would kill someone that fucks with my dog)
CoutureBarbie2 said:Muthafucking bullshit (yeah I said it!!)
Vick lost everything behind some damn dogs..
and this nucca gets 30 days in jail, a fine and some community service.
WTF?!
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Permalink Reply by OfficialGroupie on -
Wow. That's crazy.
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Permalink Reply by Madison on -
I think if somebody walked into Neiman Marcus and tried to take $2000.00 in merchandise shoplifting with no force, they would receive more time! His lawyer must be one of the best.
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Permalink Reply by Damnstraight on
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lmao
Madison said:I think if somebody walked into Neiman Marcus and tried to take $2000.00 in merchandise shoplifting with no force, they would receive more time! His lawyer must be one of the best.
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Permalink Reply by The real vixxen on -
I agree!! Wut kinda is h is that he killed someone drunk driving!! I know someone who feel alseep at the wheel got charged w a DUI (didnt kill noone) and got 15 DAYS!! this is horrible He killed someone ..
CoutureBarbie2 said:Muthafucking bullshit (yeah I said it!!)
Vick lost everything behind some damn dogs..
and this nucca gets 30 days in jail, a fine and some community service.
WTF?!
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Permalink Reply by Siren on -
he is doing more time hen some...my ex was killed by a DD and the dude got NO JAIL TIME....DUI convictions on the 1st offense are not always serious...
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Permalink Reply by Damnstraight on
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Well wonder what happened with Hulks son? Cause he surely got more than a freaking month.
Siren said:he is doing more time hen some...my ex was killed by a DD and the dude got NO JAIL TIME....DUI convictions on the 1st offense are not always serious...
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Permalink Reply by Siren on
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number one he was underage number 2 I think he was sober and just being wreckless doing that racing driving on city streets.
Damnstraight said:Well wonder what happened with Hulks son? Cause he surely got more than a freaking month.
Siren said:he is doing more time hen some...my ex was killed by a DD and the dude got NO JAIL TIME....DUI convictions on the 1st offense are not always serious...
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