Community Control And Probation Too Much For Stallworth
Written by: Tom Sawyer
By now you may or may not be familiar with the DUI manslaughter case involving Donte Stallworth. If you aren’t, Stallworth allegedly spent the night drinking in a bar/club, went home for a while, got up to go get something to eat, then hit and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle. It doesn’t lessen the blow, but Stallworth’s cooperation with the police and the fact that even sober he would have hit and killed the man played a part in Stallworth’s sentence.
Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail – he served 24 days. His plea agreement included two years of “community control” (Florida’s version of house arrest), eight years of probation, drug and alcohol testing, 1,000 hours of community service and a lifetime suspension of his driver’s license. Stallworth, 28, also reached a confidential financial settlement with the family of 59-year-old Mario Reyes, the construction worker struck and killed early on March 14 by Stallworth, driving drunk in his black 2005 Bentley. Apparently, Stallworth thinks his sentence is too stiff.
A Miami judge is expected to hear arguments to reduce Stallworth’s sentence – he wants is time on house arrest and probation cut. In light of the facts surrounding this case, namely the fact that he slept for a while and would have killed the guy if sober, I had softened my initial opinion. But this is going too far!
Stallworth still has the potential to earn millions as a professional football player which is more than many people in his situation would be able to say. Yes, he can no longer drive around in his expensive cars and for the next two years he will be on house arrest (I can imagine something will be worked out that will allow him to do his “day job”), but he will probably still be a millionaire when all is said and done. What could the details possibly be that would lead him to think his sentence was too harsh? What is there that we don’t know about? On the surface, I would say go back to your mansion, wait for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to rule on your suspension and shut up. But there has to be more to this. I’m really hoping our society hasn’t put professional athletes on such a high pedestal where they think they can get away with a crime like this with what many would consider a slap on the wrist.
I really hope there is more to this story.
Tags: Donte Stallworth given only 30 days jail, Stallworth not happy with sentence, Stallworth seeks sentence reduction
August 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
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August 11th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Honestly I haven’t heard much about this case but it reminded me of the Mary Winkler case which is the definition of “Justice Not Served.” If you haven’t heard of the case, Mary Winkler got 210 days in jail and three years probation for shooting her preacher husband point blank with a shot gun. Sorry for the random comment, this post just got me thinking about it. If I’m not mistaken she’s even retained custody of her kids.
You know that pain in the pit of your stomach you get when something really just disgusts you? Well, just thinking about that case is causing that reaction.
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/mary_winkler/19.html
.-= Ryan Kazinec´s last blog ..Some Things First Time Home Buyers Should be Aware of – A House Inspection is Worth Every Penny =-.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
honestly, you probably didn’t hear anything about this case, that involved a human being being killed.
but you sure heard way too much talk about some stupid dogs being killed.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
what kind of world do we live in where some dogs that were treated cruel get way more air time than some human beings, being killed.
honestly, i hate the damn dogs, and i hope you heard that.
August 12th, 2009 at 8:27 am
did you hear lisa salters on espn’s E:60 last night? stallworth was interviewed, but she had a comment about vic, saying the same thing i’ve been saying, basically, “what the ….”
August 12th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Clyde,
I should clarify one thing. I haven’t heard much about this particular situation because I’ve been on vacation and have chosen to take a break from the news. I share your aggravation with the biased reporting that takes place on the news networks but I do have to defend the media to play the devils advocate here.
With Vick your talking about a NFL star who was entangled with a huge crime ring. Frankly it doesn’t matter if you don’t like dogs, cats, hamsters, or billy goats; what does matter is what Vick was partaking in was ILLEGAL and had far more elements involved. When you compare coverage from one NFL star to another keep in mind of the nature of the charges and the facets of the crime. A DUI involuntary homicide is pretty cut and dry and doesn’t involve a multitude of people. However, I see what you’re saying in regards to the media and agree to some extent.
.-= Ryan Kazinec´s last blog ..Some Things First Time Home Buyers Should be Aware of – A House Inspection is Worth Every Penny =-.
August 12th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
OK, Vick did something that was illegal. But, it didn’t cost a human being his life and Stallworth’s actions did cause a father and a husband to leave this earth. Are one hundred dogs worth more than one human life?
Before we go on, we have to gain some perspective on what life is worth.
.-= Tom Sawyer´s last blog ..Quite Simply – This Should Not Happen! =-.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:23 am
@Tom Sawyer – A local real estate agent just received a ten year sentence for prescription drug fraud. Not sure the legal system or media is based on moral merit. Is stealing prescription drugs worse than taking a human or animals life? We’re on the same page morally, I love dogs (Have two sitting next to me right now) but a humans life should be valued more. That doesn’t mean animals shouldn’t be valued though and those who inflict harm on animals needs to be punished, not slapped on the hand. (Not referring to the Vick situation as the punishment fit the crime IMO)
.-= Ryan Kazinec´s last blog ..Some Things First Time Home Buyers Should be Aware of – A House Inspection is Worth Every Penny =-.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:08 pm
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June 7th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Wow this game looks uber. How is a kid supposed to get any learning done with all-knowing distractions like this?!?!
October 24th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
This wednesday will mark the one year anniversary of my DUI. I knew 1 day i would look back and laugh at it. That day is these days. Take heed kids, drunk driving arrest is poor news!
December 8th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Its been a while since i leave a comment, even thought i have a blog and know how valuable comments are heh, good post!
June 26th, 2011 at 4:47 am
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January 10th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
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January 12th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
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