[mike honcho]

By CURT ANDERSON, AP Legal Affairs Writer Curt Anderson, Ap Legal Affairs Writer – 5 mins ago
MIAMI – Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth took full responsibility for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida and began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter.

Stallworth also reached a confidential financial settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit from the family of 59-year-old Mario Reyes, according to Stallworth attorney Christopher Lyons. Reyes was struck and killed March 14 by Stallworth, who was driving his black 2005 Bentley after a night drinking at a swanky hotel bar.

Stallworth, 28, told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy that he hopes to get involved in drunken driving education programs.

"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."

Stallworth faced 15 years in prison. After his release from jail, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation.

The NFL has said it will review the matter for possible disciplinary action. Lyons said the plea agreement will allow Stallworth to resume his football career.

Stallworth also must undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime driver's license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service. Lyons said after five years, Stallworth could win approval for limited driving such as for employment.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle cited Stallworth's lack of previous criminal record, cooperation with police and willingness to accept responsibility as factors in the plea deal. Rundle also said the Reyes family — particularly the victim's 15-year-old daughter — wanted the case resolved to avoid any more pain.

"For all of these reasons, a just resolution of this case has been reached," Rundle said.

None of the Reyes family attended the hearing. Their attorney, Rodolfo Suarez, read a statement saying the family wants to "bring closure to this emotional and tragic event." Suarez was not immediately available to comment after the hearing.

After a night drinking at a bar in Miami Beach's Fountainebleau hotel, police said Stallworth hit Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m. Stallworth told police he flashed his lights in an attempt to warn Reyes, who was not in a crosswalk when he was struck.

Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126 after the crash, well above Florida's .08 limit. Stallworth stopped after the crash and immediately told officers he had hit Reyes. Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. The California native and University of Tennessee college star has also played in the NFL for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

The night before the crash, Stallworth earned a $4.5 million roster bonus from the Browns.

David Cornwell, a Stallworth attorney handling the NFL situation, said he has kept top league officials apprised of the case.

"Whenever it is appropriate to do so, we are prepared to discuss the circumstances under which Donte' will resume his career," Cornwell said

[jks812]

30 days for drinking and driving and killing someone. Wow, maybe they're being alittle harsh with him. I think the days part should have been years.

[Full Cougar]

Originally Posted by jks812

30 days for drinking and driving and killing someone. Wow, maybe they're being alittle harsh with him. I think the days part should have been years.

I agree. Driving drunk should be 30 days. Killing someone? Way too light of a sentence.

[Bette]

He definitely got off easy.

As a side note, I never liked Donte Stallworth. There are few I dont. Something about him--But everything I have read and seen says this is a guy who just made a horrible decision, to drive drunk. He has not been in any legal trouble so far in his life as far as I can tell.
Nothing brings back that father, but as Stallworth said, he will live with this for the rest of his life. For some reason, I believe him.

[jks812]

I'm not saying he won't live with it. And I assume he is sorry for it. But whats the difference in getting drunk and driving and killing someone, and taking out a gun and shooting someone? The other person is just as dead either way, and the person doing it made the choice to do it.
How would he feel if it were one of his children( I don't even know if he has any) that a drunk driver ran over, would he think a 30 day sentence was long enough? As someone who has gone through this, no you wouldn't think 30 days was long enough.

[Phils20]

Typical for a celeb, athlete.

Check this out.

Billy Lane to Face 9 years in Jail as Part of Plea Bargain Deal

It all just make me sick. This guy is much worse than Stallworth, and really less known, but I bet in the end he'll get the same slap on the wrist.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Typical for a celeb, athlete.

Check this out.

Billy Lane to Face 9 years in Jail as Part of Plea Bargain Deal

It all just make me sick. This guy is much worse than Stallworth, and really less known, but I bet in the end he'll get the same slap on the wrist.

You are probably right, no jail time for him either. I just don't understand it. Since when did killing someone become so accepted?
What they are getting for killing folks I don't even consider a slap on the wrist. Maybe just a shake of the head.

[Full Cougar]

Originally Posted by jks812

I'm not saying he won't live with it. And I assume he is sorry for it. But whats the difference in getting drunk and driving and killing someone, and taking out a gun and shooting someone? The other person is just as dead either way, and the person doing it made the choice to do it.
How would he feel if it were one of his children( I don't even know if he has any) that a drunk driver ran over, would he think a 30 day sentence was long enough? As someone who has gone through this, no you wouldn't think 30 days was long enough.

Had he been sober and hit someone in the road and said it was an accident and evidence favored that it was an accident, the circumstances may be different. However when your drunk, you should not be driving. Period. So with a drunk driver killing someone I can only assume the accident would have been avoided had the driver not been drinking.