Donte Stallworth gets 30 days for manslaughter

by JasonB on Jun 17, 2009 9:41 AM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

I'm sure most of you have been somewhat following the story of former Eagle Donte Stallworth, who was arrested in March for drunk driving and killing a pedestrian.

Yesterday, he plead guilty to DUI manslaughter and received thirty days in jail. He'll also be on probation for 10 years and spend up to two years on house arrest... but in the end he got 30 days for killing a man. Something tells me that if you or I were speeding down a Miami street at 7am with a blood alcohol level at nearly twice the legal limit and killed someone, we'd be doing more than 30 days.

Stallworth also reached a financial settlement with the family of 59 year old Mario Reyes. Mr. Reyes had a 15 year old daughter.

"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."

Hard to understand, but at the same time it's nothing new. People like Leonard Little, who got an 8 game suspension for killing a single mother, are still not only walking free but making millions as NFL players.

All that said, if the family of the victim has been taken care of that's the most important thing. I guess it's not particularly important to them how long Stallworth spends in prison.

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he also cannot drive a car the rest of his life

i cant believe it was only 30 days.

8 games in 8-0 we goin.

by 700 Level on Jun 17, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

Another mitigating factor

The man he hit was also drunk (if I recall correctly) and Jaywalking. The sentence was only 30 days because both men were at fault. However, 700 Level has a great point, none of us would be doing only thirty days if we did the exact same thing.

"Seriously… F off." JasonB to a Denver fan after Dawk left.

by DownHillBradley on Jun 17, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

That's the biggest thing

Reyes was jay walking and was more at fault (as far as his death) than Stallworth was.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Jun 17, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

true.

One of the things in Florida DUI Manslaughter law is that it’s a mitigating factor when the drunk person isn’t at fault for the accident. I work in Miami and know the area where the accident happened — there’s no way in hell a reasonable person should be crossing the street there. You’re risking your life no matter how drunk or sober a driver might be.

Also, while I’m not sure a non-celebrity would do only 30 days, in a similar position I’d be surprised if it was more than 90. I’ve seen it happen before.

by wildcatlh on Jun 17, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

arent drunk people supposed to walk?

8 games in 8-0 we goin.

by 700 Level on Jun 18, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

IS THAT TRUE?

I know someone else who this happend to. Not a celeb, a friend, and they did 6 months and had no drivers license for 1 year and a Blow and Go for 2 years and 5 years probation.

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Jun 17, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

How much of a fat check do you think he gave the family to only get 30 days?

My guess is at least 5 mill.

by N4S on Jun 17, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

it was A LOT

8 games in 8-0 we goin.

by 700 Level on Jun 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Its really not up to the families how much time he gets, how much did he give the judge/jury and his lawyers is the real question.

by Qu1nTeR on Jun 17, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

It is up to the family though

In a case like this the prosecutor works pretty closely with the family. The prosecutor’s the one that came up with the deal, not the defense. Once the family was paid off/told the prosecutor they wanted it pled down, it was getting pled down.

Judge wasn’t involved and the case wasn’t even close to seating a jury yet.

by wildcatlh on Jun 17, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

True

….but the Judge doesn’t have to do a damn thing the Prosecuter says.
The Judge can take any deal the prosecutor arranges and piss on it.

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Jun 17, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats true, but they generally will accept it. In this case, if the family agrees, the judge generally isn’t going to force them into a trial.

(I’m a lawyer in South Florida. I don’t do trial practice, but I know enough about the people here who do)

by wildcatlh on Jun 17, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I think what you might all be forgetting is

He is going to pay the family a sum of money worth millions of dollars. Considering that he is an NFL player, he can afford to pay them IF HE WORKS. If he spends more than 30 days in jail, he misses preseason and likely gets a suspension that lasts longer into the season. If, however, he is able to come out of jail after the 30 day period and go back to football, he is able to earn his salary as expected and thus pay his debt to the family.

It is obvious that the family would rather have the money than see him go to jail because him remaining in jail and making 0 income does not help them in any way. a shorter sentence that gives him the opportunity to earn the money he owes them is a much better scenario for them and their financial well-being.

About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.

by IronHank on Jun 17, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

this honestly is the best point on this thread

8 games in 8-0 we goin.

by 700 Level on Jun 18, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

let's not judge

unless we’re cool with being judged… that’s from the man up top.

by Bleediots on Jun 17, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

amen

by awd777 on Jun 17, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t understand how people with this much disposable income still drink and drive. It’s not that hard to get a D.D., call a cab, or fuck hire a driver.

I don’t make millions yet I can go out multiple times a week and somehow find a way to get from point A to point B and back again without anyone getting behind the wheel of the car drunk.

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on Jun 17, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

thats true Whodie you do have a very good point there

When I look at this team, I still don't feel as though we are very far away, we still have to work hard and do the things we are capable of, but we do have the chance to get back and come back strong." -Brian Westbrook-

by EAGLE_MAN71 on Jun 18, 2009 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

people do it because they've done it and gotten away with it in the past

Honestly… how many people on BGN will go on the record and say that they have NEVER once driven and wondered if they would pass a breathalizer? I’m absolutely not making light of drunk driving, but i mean two beers in an hour probably puts you over the limit. If you are someone who drinks pretty often, you could probably drink 4-6 and easily drive a car safely. But the law is the law. Its illegal.

My point is this… the only way to make sure is you dont get DUI’d is to never drive if you;ve had any alcohol. I think people toe the line and drive several times when they know they probably shouldnt and they just get used to doing it. Kind of like the guy who embezzels money and continues to do it because he doesnt get caught.

Now obviously, Donte hit and killed a man. But i’m just resonding to the question of “how people do it”

8 games in 8-0 we goin.

by 700 Level on Jun 18, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions