In what can only be described as “rich people justice,” Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth received a 30-day prison sentence for killing a 59-year-old Miami crane operator in a drunk driving incident earlier this year.
You read that right, people … 30 days. Not years. Or even months.
Stallworth received such an extraordinarily light sentence because he cooperated with authorities, accepted responsibility and hooked the family of the deceased man up with an undisclosed (i.e. nice) chunk of change.
From the AP:
Stallworth’s attorney, Christopher Lyons, said the financial settlement was only one factor in the plea agreement. He noted that Stallworth stopped immediately after the accident, called 911 and submitted to roadside alcohol testing despite spending most of the night drinking at a swanky Miami Beach hotel.
“He acted like a man,” Lyons said. “He remained at the scene. He cooperated fully.”
Stallworth 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 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.
Alright.
Those obviously are some “mitigating” circumstances. And if we were a judge (perish the thought), they certainly would have “mitigated” Stallworth getting less than the 15 years in the slammer he could (and some say should) have received.
But 30 days? Are you kidding us?
He ran over a person, not a kitten.
Anyway, as we noted in our controversial take on the whole Micheal Vick situation, we’re all for second chances around here, but to get a second chance the punishment needs to fit the crime.
In Stallworth’s case, it doesn’t – which will only perpetuate the belief (reality) that rich people are “above the law.”
By Eric June 16, 2009 at 10:38 pm
He got more punishment than what these police officers got in NJ ($728 fine): http://blog.mises.org/archives/010134.asp
Article about the accident (2007): http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=2995604&page=1
By Mike June 17, 2009 at 8:44 am
You are right, of course, in that 30 days seems ridiculous when considered in light of the fact that an innocent man was killed. I would like to say, though, that the drunk driving problem is both cultural and systemic, and Stallworth’s case is a little different from the majority (and not just because he was busily perpetuating the star-athlete party-boy stereotype).
One need not be NFL-rich to game the system when it comes to a DUI, or even rich at all, and sentences in death-related cases are all over the map. A female veteranarian involved in a recent high-profile case in the Myrtle Beach area not only hit and killed a 15 year old boy at midnight, but left the scene, hid her vehicle, and tried to order secret repairs at her house (which was what got her caught). Of course, we’ll never know what her blood alcohol level was, because she didn’t do any of the right things (she couldn’t even be charged with DUI). She is serving what amounted to about 24 months in prison. Most serve much less than that.
Contrast her actions with Stallworth’s, and the 30 days seems a little less ridiculous, even if only a little. Stallworth is also under house arrest for two years, and on probation for eight. The articles I read included statements from the victim’s family which firmly supported the sentence and plea deal.
If the family of the victim says justice was served, that should count for something. Most DUI suspects lie, cheat, and game the system at every turn- they refuse to take roadside tests, refuse to give breath samples once arrested, and rarely (if ever) take any kind of responsibility for their actions. I’m glad that this victim’s family, at least, didn’t have to add all that suffering to their already tragic loss.
By me June 17, 2009 at 9:33 am
the illegal alien decided to jay walk infront of a moving car. Anyone else would have seen it, his family should be lucky they are getting a jackpot. If you jay walk you should take the consequences, was he to blind to see a car with headlights at 7am coming toward him!?!? this type of bs happens all the time, mexicans running across the road. Use the damn crosswalk!
By Rick June 17, 2009 at 10:27 am
“He acted like a man,” Lyons said. “He remained at the scene. He cooperated fully.”
Amen
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