OT: Football player who killed man while driving drunk wins “courage” award

[earthsci]

What ever happened to forgiving people and not casting the first stone?

I'm all for forgiveness but I don't think that the courts would have been so forgiving if you or I had done that. That was my only point.

 

[ajcardfan]

I'm all for forgiveness but I don't think that the courts would have been so forgiving if you or I had done that. That was my only point.

"The State of Mississippi isn't as forgiving as the Lord."

 

[Krangodnzr]

I'm all for forgiveness but I don't think that the courts would have been so forgiving if you or I had done that. That was my only point.

The only color justice sees in this country is green.

 

[NJCardFan]

im more into finding an explanation of him only serving 24 days. My buddy got 24 days for a dui that killed no one.

Being a corrections officer, I can attest that I've seen dudes get more time by getting caught with a dimebag of weed.

 

[NJCardFan]

Not to be the only voice of dissent here, but the guy didn't exactly murder the guy. If Stallworth had not been drinking, he would have been guilty of NOTHING. The guy was at fault for his own death.

Stallworth should not have been drinking and driving, but he is no murderer and showed ample remorse for his transgression.

What ever happened to forgiving people and not casting the first stone? Eh, I guess none of you have Jesus in your heart.

So, it's safe to assume you've forgiven Bernie Madoff? He didn't kill anyone either. To expound, it isn't like the guy Stallworth hit darted from between parked cars. Yes he was crossing in the middle of the street, however, he had time to hit his horn. Um, were the breaks not working? I've had people cross the street in my path many times and know what? I USE MY BREAKS. Then I curse them out, but I do not continue on hoping they move.

 

[Mulli]

So, it's safe to assume you've forgiven Bernie Madoff? He didn't kill anyone either. To expound, it isn't like the guy Stallworth hit darted from between parked cars. Yes he was crossing in the middle of the street, however, he had time to hit his horn. Um, were the breaks not working? I've had people cross the street in my path many times and know what? I USE MY BREAKS. Then I curse them out, but I do not continue on hoping they move.

Not too hard to calculate whether or not he had time to stop based on skid marks etc. And accident reconstructionist could figure the whole thing out in about 2 minutes.

 

[Southpaw]

Not too hard to calculate whether or not he had time to stop based on skid marks etc. And accident reconstructionist could figure the whole thing out in about 2 minutes.

50 in a 40 zone. 7:30 A M. Eastbound. Looking into the sun with bloodshot drunken eye syndrome. Must have seen him since he blinked lights and honked. Those damned Bentleys must have bad brakes.

Financial agreement avoids lawsuit


ESPN.com news services

MIAMI -- ......

Stallworth also reached a confidential financial settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit from the family of 59-year-old Mario Reyes, according to Stallworth's 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.

A source told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that while the financial terms of the settlement with the family have not been disclosed, Stallworth was covered by two insurance policies: a car insurance policy and a $5 million umbrella policy.


Stallworth faced 15 years in prison. According to the plea agreement, Stallworth needs to serve only 24 days of his 30-day sentence. Murphy agreed to give Stallworth credit for the one day he already served, April 2, which was the day of his arrest and booking. In addition, Stallworth received an additional five days of credit because of a Florida state statute stating anyone who is sentenced to 30 days (besides civil, contempt, drug treatment and house arrest cases) automatically gets five days' credit time served for every 30 days, spokesperson Janelle Hall of the Miami Dade County Corrections Department told Naqi.

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

Lyons said the plea agreement will allow Stallworth to resume his football career.


Stallworth has a lifetime suspension from holding a driver's license, and must serve two years' house arrest and eight years on probation....

....Stallworth must also 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 for reasons such as 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 Stallworth spent the night drinking at a bar in Miami Beach's Fountainebleau hotel, police said he hit Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after finishing his shift at about 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 also has played in the NFL for the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints.

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

 

[Mulli]

Lifetime license suspension. There should be more of those. I am not really convinced he should get an award either, but the award looks kind of meaningless based on who else won it.

 

[Cardiac]

Let's just rename the award to "Working on being less of a scumbag".

Any objections?

 

[Derm]

Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

In AZ that's a citation for driving too slow.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Stallworth has a lifetime suspension from holding a driver's license

That is awesome.

Wish that was automatic.

Leonard Little drove drunk years after killing Susan Gutweiler.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

In AZ that's a citation for driving too slow.

Unless you're in the West Valley where all the slower speed limits exist. Even main streets are much slower than in the East Valley.