Dallas Co. DA, Legal Experts Support Ex-Cowboy's Release From Jail
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Legal experts say they don't believe former Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent received special treatment.
Dallas County Judge Robert Burns released him from jail six weeks early so he could begin treatment at a residential facility.
We asked Brent's attorney, George Milner what he thought.
Milner said, "He's getting what probation thought was appropriate."
In a statement Monday, Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins said, "Rehabilitation is an important goal at the Dallas District Attorney's office, so we agree with the judge's decision to send Mr. Brent to rehab."
Earlier this year, the judge ordered Brent behind bars for six months on top of the sentence of ten years probation.
A jury gave him probation after his drunk driving crash in December, 2012 killed his friend and teammate Jerry Brown.
But Jeff Miracle, the executive director of the North Texas Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, still isn't pleased. "The punishment didn't fit the crime in this case. He killed someone drunk driving, and really got very little punishment for that."
Miracle says he hopes Brent is remorseful, and will never drink and drive again.
Brent retired from the NFL last year, but earlier this month, the Cowboys executive Vice President Stephen Jones said he wouldn't rule out Brent's return to the Cowboys.
But before Brent could do so, he'd have to ask the NFL to be reinstated.
If it does, the league could discipline him for the drunk driving conviction.
Miracle says, "I would hope that they would look at that he's a re-offender, he killed a friend, a player on his team drunk driving, and that they would give him whatever the maximum penalty is for that."
The NFL declined comment.
As part of his release, Brent can't possess, buy, or drink any alcoholic beverages.
If he drives, his car must have an ignition interlock device with a camera.
Follow Jack on Twitter: @cbs11jack
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