NFL Player Gets 30 Days For Manslaughter

Donte' Stallworth Pleads Guilty To DUI Manslaughter; Killed Pedestrian In Florida

(AP)  Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth is going to serve 30 days in jail after pleading guilty in Florida to a DUI manslaughter charge.

The plea deal announced Tuesday calls for the 28-year-old Stallworth to also serve 10 years' probation and do 1,000 community service hours for killing a pedestrian he hit with his car. Stallworth had faced up to 15 years in prison.

Police say Stallworth was drinking at a hotel bar before the March 14 crash that killed 59-year-old construction worker Mario Reyes. Tests showed Stallworth's blood-alcohol content was .126.

Stallworth also reached a confidential financial settlement with the Reyes' family. A person close to the negotiations told The Association Press about the agreement on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the deal

[chrisnmarisa]

Why is it that if you ot money and power you do not have to abide by the laws like normal people the family needs to make an example of the nfl star not cash out and to be able to still play football isnt there a code of ethics they go by shame on the nfl for not suspending him and shame on the family for making a buck off a loved one this story is a joke and what if he violates another 30 days or can he buy his way out of that as well

[Meg003]

The man killed stepped out into the road and was run over. I seriously doubt that stone cold sober, anyone could have stopped. Stallworth has been blamed for manslaughter. In my opinion, he should have had a DUI, nothing more.

I know of people involved in fatal accidents when the police stated that being DUI did not cause the accident, so the people were not charged with anything but DUI. Stallworth was a high-profile football player, so he was charged.

And, no, I do not drink, nor does anyone in my family. I think anyone with a DUI should lose his or her license and vehicle. But public opinion shouldn't make one person get charged when another would not, and I think that is what happened here.

[craigh9]

Absolutely ridiculous - 30 days for killing someone - obviously just because he plays football - if your a dirtbag you get thrown in jail, if your a dirt bag with money you get off scott free!!!
Oh by the way, did you notice the 2 years house arrest too - but he can play football - PLEASE tell me how that works?
My teenage son had a paint ball gun and shot a couple of houses with it, besides full restitution he got a 90 day jail sentence - what an f'ing joke this country has become - time for Roger Goodell to stand up strong and send this idiot, Burress, and every other felon packing.

[jpadilla2446]

Was justice served or did the Reyes family sell-out the father?

[bigreddog222]

That sentence is complete B! S!. Sorry I just don't believe it. John Q. would have received one year at the least with all the trimmings. Money is justice or Justice is money? Anyone?

[ix.heart]

and they call this a justice system...what a joke! The whole system is pathetic, unjust, corrupt and bought as is the verdict in this case.

[SusanStoHelit]

Given the details (pedestrian partly at fault, clean record, cooperation and apologetic right from the start, stopped and called 911 admitted hitting the guy and waited, family supported this sentence), the penalty seems just (30 days plus 2 years house arrest).

[justcurious777]

The story above didn't mention anything about house arrest. Still, house arrest at Stallworth's place is bound to be waaaaay better than jail...

[bckytx]

Sounds like the family is more worried about getting paid for their "grief"

[justcurious777]

So the guy was crossing illegally...not in a crosswalk. His sentence was DEATH and he only put himself at risk. How does that compare to someone knowingly drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car where he is endangering not only himself and his passengers but EVERYONE he happens to encounter? Thirty days, 10 years probation, and community service for actions that resulted in someone else's death? That's simply unbelievable...

Wonder what the jaywalking sentence would have been for the guy (if he had lived)...

[linfinster]

I wonder what the settlement amount was . . . I certainly don't have enough money to buy my way out of a Manslaughter charge.

[sportsdoctor]

What a great country - if you're a pro athlete (and don't harm a dog).

[Lillian54321]

Gee...that seems fair. Where is our justice system? What if this had been a little child, who didn't understand cross walks. There is more than one crime being committed here.

[MPHgrad]

I agree with you Thadius5. Simply outrageous. Had it been a dog, PETA would have made certain he would have gotten at least 18 months, been publicly ridiculed, lost his entire career, but they obviously only care about animals.

[mwhc1]

all i know is if i do the same thing... i better only get 30 days in jail. 30 DAYS IN JAIL for KILLING someone DUI!

NO ONE WILL EVER RESPECT dui RISK WITH THIS KIND OF SENTENCE - if you even want to call it that!

Absolutely outrageous that these athletes get away with murder (manslaughter), whatever. Outrageous.

[cepe10-2009]

The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and was partially at fault since he was crossing illegally.

What a lame attempt at trying to justify this outrage. He wasn't in the crosswalk so he deserved to be run over.

[Lillian54321]

I think the pedestrian certainly paid a price for his/her error. However, Mr. Stallworth seems to be off mighty easy. Drunk driving with loss of human life usually draws a much larger sentence.

[SusanStoHelit]

And the driver stopped after the accident, cooperated with police, and has a sparkling clean record prior to this.

[d_smedley]

and this makes it OK??? ARE YOU INSANE????

[thadius5]

Kill a dog(or dogs) go to jail for years...kill a human being go to jail for 30 days. What? I just don't see the justice.

[antoniof123]

You know my wife said the same thing we give you more time for killing an animal then for a person. Shows what kind of justice we have. I say bring back hanging.

Start with the politicians past, present, and future.

[j_flood]

Ala Matthew Broderick -- OJ -- pathetic results but you could see it coming couldn't ya?

Justice is supposed to be blind not stupid!

[displeased]

30 days for manslaughter? I would expect him to get more time with just the DUI. The average person would have most likely gotten the max 15 years, but Stallworth is able to buy his way out. Screwed up justice system. And will he be suspended from the NFL like Vick is? This behavior certainly doesn't meet the "role model" standards.