If you're like most people not named Donte Stallworth, you are mad.
Mad at Stallworth. Mad at his high-priced lawyers. Mad at the prosecutor. Mad at the legal system.
The Browns receiver was just sentenced to 30 days for driving drunk and killing a man. Unless he starts a dog-fighting ring in jail, Stallworth could be in uniform when Cleveland opens training camp.
Thirty days shouldn't even be called a "sentence." It feels more like a period or an apostrophe or a bad joke.
As mad as you are, the fact is Stallworth did what any of us would have done if we made $5 million a year. He bought himself a huge helping of Rich Man's Justice.
Now it's up to another judge to administer the justice Florida's legal system is seemingly incapable of.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can sanction any player whose conduct is deemed "detrimental" to the league. I don't know about you, but I'd find it highly detrimental to turn on the TV and see a player who had as many manslaughter convictions as touchdown receptions in the past nine months.
That should be worth at least a year's suspension. Granted, Judge Goodell's docket is pretty full these days. Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick are also waiting to hear if the commissioner will tack on some NFL time to their legal sentences.
Burress hasn't actually been convicted of anything yet, other than being stupid enough to literally shoot a leg out from under his career.
As for Vick, the sentence Stallworth received has him back in the national conversation. How could he get almost two years for killing dogs and Stallworth get 30 days for killing a person?
Excellent question. Unfortunately for those of us who want to rail against the system, there are plausible explanations.
After being arrested, Vick lied to investigators and failed a drug test. Stallworth at least cooperated and accepted responsibility.
He did not intend to commit a crime the morning of March 14, when he hit 59-year-old Mario Reyes. Vick spent years intentionally maiming and killing animals.
There was also Florida Statute 316.193. For those of you who don't make a living trying to get drunk drivers out of trouble, that law requires proof that the driver helped cause the accident. There was a major question whether Stallworth did that, since Reyes was apparently jaywalking.
The accident could have happened if Stallworth hadn't been partying all night at Miami Beach .
You can bet his lawyers had a long list of expert witnesses willing to testify to that. So instead of going for the 15-year maximum sentence, prosecutors offered a plea deal.
"We have looked at the unique facts involved with this charge," State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement. "Mr. Stallworth's excellent pre-incident history of community service, abundant references to his good character, his lack of any traffic violations or criminal convictions, his full and complete post-incident cooperation with law enforcement and his willingness to accept complete responsibility for his actions."
Then there was Mr. Stallworth's willingness to open his wallet and give the Reyes family the old "out-of-court settlement."
Cha-ching.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo makes a pass during a practice session at football minicamp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman (41) attempts to grab a pass as safety Kenny Hamlin (26) defends as they run through a drill at the NFL football team's minicamp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo drops back to make a pass during practice at football minicamp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, left, relays a play to quarterback Tony Romo (9) during a practice session at the NFL football team's minicamp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Jon Kitna (3) and Tony Romo (9) drop back to make passes duringpractice session at football minicamp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Members of the Dallas Cowboys offensive line work out with training equipment during practice at football camp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo, left, instructs cornerback Mike Mickens (33) during practice at football minicamp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo drops back to make a pass during practice at football minicamp in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Running back Tashard Choice #23 of the Dallas Cowboys during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tashard Choice
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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Wide receiver Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roy Williams
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If it all leaves an O.J. taste in your mouth, do not totally despair. Stallworth can suffocate the legal system in cash, but he can't buy off the public outrage.
You know it's bad when even Cleveland fans aren't saying Stallworth has paid his debt to society. Now let the poor guy get on with his life.
(To be accurate, he hasn't paid his debt yet. He has about 23 days in jail left with gain time, two years of house arrest, eight years probation and must donate $2,500 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, $2,500 to Parents of Murdered Children, pay $1,842.88 to the Miami Police Department, $813.14 to the Miami-Dade Police Department and $583 in court costs. MADD, by the way, doesn't want his money.)
He also has to live with the thought that he killed a man.
Unlike Vick, there's no reason to think Stallworth isn't genuinely remorseful. But that doesn't change the nature of the accident.
This isn't smoking dope or sneaking a gun into a nightclub or even drowning dogs for fun and profit. This is the kind of crime that gets people sent away for 15 years.
Regular people, at least.
It's natural to be mad, but I don't blame Stallworth for working the system. That got the wheels of injustice turning, and the lawyers, the prosecutors and the judge all just did their jobs.
Now it's time for Goodell to do his.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-17-2009 @ 2:32PM
waynph59 said...
WHAT A HATER.CLEARLY A TRAGIC ACCIDENT HE PAID LETS MOVE ON.
Reply
6-17-2009 @ 7:21PM
Mike said...
I don't see enough blame being put on Reyes' family for selling out his life. The justice system acted on the law, the past and present actions of Stallworth, and most importantly, the recommendation of the Reyes family,
If they had refused a settlement and demanded justice, they would have had public opinion on their side and a more appropriate sentence would have been meted out.
However, it is important to note that it is NOT Goodell's job to implement "makeup" justice and hand out a suspension LONGER than he ordinarily would for someone else in a similar situation. He must impose a sentence consistent with past punishments in order to maintain credibility.
6-17-2009 @ 3:33PM
redsox said...
Tragic accident, but many people have been behind the wheel when we shouldn't, the man has money and was able to get off with really no jail time, he has to live the rest of his life with the weight that he killed another man. To give Stallworth credit, he stepped up and didnt blame anyone else, I feel bad for the family who lost a father and will be with out him forever from this tragic accident
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6-17-2009 @ 3:42PM
MenoRikey said...
People are more sympathetic to humans killing animals because animals cannot defend themselves. Both the killer (Stallworth) and the victim (the moron he hit) are at fault. Vick's dog's had no choice.
I wish Vick got the death penalty for what he did, I could care less about what Stallworth did.
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6-18-2009 @ 4:17AM
UNLCE RICO said...
AND YOU SIR ARE A MORON!!! TO CARE MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO DOGS THAN YOUR FELLOW MAN IS SAD... SO I BET IF SOME KILLED YOUR FAMILY MEMBER ALSO YOUR DOG YOU WOULD BE IN MORE MORN ABOUT YOUR DOG THAN YOUR FAMILY MEMBER... THIS IS WHY THE UNITED STATES IS THE WAY IT IS CAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU.. TO THINK I PUT MY LIFE ON LINE EVERY DAY TO PROTECT PEOPLE LIKE YOU EVERY DAY... IT'S SAID I KNOW
6-17-2009 @ 4:18PM
bkind7x said...
Very unfortunate accident.
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6-17-2009 @ 5:33PM
will said...
Just to let everyone know, bkind7x advocates building an add-on to houses for the sole purpose of having a dog have its own room.
6-17-2009 @ 4:41PM
horatiowrd said...
Theres no assurances Stallworth would have ever been found guilty. If he was not drunk at the time, this wouldnt even be a crime. Unless your 100% convinced an attorney couldnt convince a jury that even if he were completely sober he would have avoided the guy I can see him winning this case.
He gets off "easy" if you believe that he is 100% guilty, 100% at fault, but sadly thats not the case here.
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6-17-2009 @ 5:33PM
John said...
Hey he just killed an innocent human being.
Its not like he killed some dogs.
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6-17-2009 @ 6:21PM
milk6672 said...
He did not "intend" to kill a person, but he choose to get drunk, start his car up, and drive down miami and feeling untouchable because he is an athlete. Ohh, and he did flash the lights at the guy, clearly meaning he saw him in traffic and still chose to hit em. None of this was intentional though.....pure accidental. Get the F**K outta here....Money makes the world go round and what he did, the government is getting their cut....With Vick and the underground gambling ring, thats what did him in.....Making money and not sharing with the FEDS....The government could careless bout some dogs.
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6-18-2009 @ 10:10PM
John Butler said...
wait so you think stallworth was out driving and decided to hit this man purposely
6-17-2009 @ 6:28PM
tnob2466 said...
Not suprising, If you are famous and have money you can buy anything, this guy should get 10-15 years like normal people would get, NFL should suspend him for 1 year and he can see how it affects his wallet.
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6-17-2009 @ 6:32PM
billyp01 said...
he saw the guy and "flashed his lights" to warn him he was coming.. are you serious? not to say that isnt the dumbest excuse ever, but what if the guy was deaf? you have to give it up to him, he took it like a man and worked with the police.. but at the end of the day, he KILLED a human being because he was driving an automobile and at least 10mph over the limit according to police records
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6-17-2009 @ 6:34PM
JIm T. said...
A long time ago a commissioner banned a group of players from the game for life. I really believe if something is not done this two bit hoods/thugs will continue on with their little stunts while leaving the public in their wake. He, Vick the whole group should be banned for life, let them go get a job and get on with life. Until these commissioners stop bowing to the almighty dollar this will continue. For heavens sake, he got drunk, got behind the wheel and killed a person. That guy and his family won't be enjoying any more football games, nor should this piece of garbage!!!
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6-17-2009 @ 7:03PM
wsevon said...
Let the victim's family carry him to civil court, where they can at least make him pay in terms of money for his stupidity.
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6-17-2009 @ 7:28PM
marktmurphy5 said...
30 days??!! You can get more time for holding a couple of joints! The civil settlement has nothing to do with the criminal sentence. Stallworth is sorry?! Ok, he can be sorry in prison. The prosecutor should be fired, the judge impeached. This is just plain nuts.
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6-17-2009 @ 7:34PM
BILL said...
either this judge is a browns fan or he is totally incompetent to be a trial judge. when is it all going to end with what the atheletes are getting away with. if it were me, i would never be a civilian again. i actually hope that something terrible happens to STALLWORTH DOWN THE ROAD!!!!OF COURSE HE MUST BE RELATED TO RAY LEWIS!!!!!AND TO THE REYES FAMILY, GREED OVERTOOK YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR MORALS.
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6-18-2009 @ 9:23PM
John Butler said...
This is a family of a construction worker getting off in the wee hours of the morning to catch the bus... my guess is they need the money not to mention stallworth getting all the time in the world wouldn't bring their father and husband back...
6-17-2009 @ 8:44PM
dinohealth said...
whitley, this is the most dijointed article I have read in a while! What is your point? Why would the Average Joe be mad when you explain all the reasons that he has not to be? You give every legal reason why this was NOT like any other of the cases that you ramble about (Vick, OJ, etc). At the end, you somehow conclude that justice has not been served, and you somehow expect the Commish to do it! This is definitely one of the most idiotic pieces of writing I have seen in here!
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6-17-2009 @ 11:41PM
mdkin01 said...
If this had been a "regular" person, they would have gotten 5 years in jail, maybe more. If alcohol had not been involved, he would have gotten completely off altogether. He basically got a DUI sentence, so the fact that he ran over somebody is being overlooked because he has money.
Reply