Kudos to Dante Stallworth
by Jon Tollerud on Jun 19, 2009 6:22 PM MDT
27 comments
With all the news surrounding Brandon Marshall the last week I thought I would point out another man who has had some legal trouble recently. Roger Goodell has suspended Donte Stallworth indefinitely for his drunk driving incident this spring. What does this mean for Denver? It could have some effect on the current situation with Brandon Marshall and the league.
Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in Jail , two years of house arrest and a lifetime suspension of Stallworth's driver's license.
sounds lenient at first but now take in to account what Stallworth has done since the incident:
He was the guy who called 911 after the accident and he cooperated fully with the police. Stallworth also gave the Reyes family an undisclosed financial settlement that led to his plea arrangement's being so light. At no point in this case has he given the indication that he's a rich, spoiled athlete who doesn't understand the magnitude of his actions. - Jeffri Chadiha
Doesn't sound like the standard we are used to from Athletes. Look at Brandon's situation a little bit:
As John (The Sports Guru) has outlined in his Fanpost there are many issues. What bothers me is how it will look to Goodell when it comes time to hand down a suspension or any action at all.
- All the listed problems and altercations since joining the league
- The initial suspension Appealed for "turning around"
- Acting spoiled by holding out on his current team despite league action still in his future. (No one wants to pay for something they have no right to use, its like buying a car and then shipping it off to Switzerland on the off chance you may go there someday)
Stallworth, while his decision to drink and drive was horrible, has faced the consequences AS A MAN.
Brandon's hold out and refusal to "get with the program" is not helping his case in front of the Commish either!
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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Solomon Wilcots on NFLN portrays Marshall and Cutler as the whole team.
There isn’t 51 other players there, just those two. Jon you may be right about Marshall and his behavior the past week or two, the Commissioner may take this in account. If Marshall is made an example of and given an 8 game suspension for the misdemeanor battery caharge, then what will his worth be to the team? IMHO he isn’t showing good judgement in not participating in OTA’s and minicamp. Thanks Jon for the slant on Marshall one more time.
by bfree2bronc on Jun 19, 2009 8:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
solomon wilcots is an idiot
i just wish he would shut up sometimes. actually, not sometimes, all the time!
"It means nothing to throw for 4500 yards, 25 touchdowns, and you dont win"-Brandon Marshall
GET TO CAMP BRANDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by broncoboy on Jun 20, 2009 1:26 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
With the 12th pick, the Broncos select Knowshon Moreno - Roger Goodell
That'll move the chains - Andy Samberg
by KaptainKirk on Jun 19, 2009 9:31 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I disagree on Stallworth's sentence
I realize you are trying to make a point that he accepted the blame and BM tends to blame everyone else…
And I think 30 days in jail for killing a human being after choosing to drink and drive is disgustingly trivial. This is not how our legal system is suppose to work. Regardless of his wealth and settlement with the family, you don’t buy your way out of a sentence in America. That’s OK in some Arab countries, but our system is suppose to judge and sentence everyone equally. If he hadn’t called the police there would have been additional charges beyond vehicular homicide.
In this country the criminal and civil courts are separate. His buying off the family should have nothing to do with the case of the people vs Stallworth.
If you or I get behind the wheel drunk and run someone down and kill him, do you think we would be sentenced to 30 days in jail. How about 5, 7, or 10 years? That’s more like it.
Not too long ago a driver in Denver ran over a mother and two young children while the driver was drunk. I believe he got between 15 and 25 years. What’s the difference? Stallworth excaped justice because he is rich and famous and this guy was not.
by MichaelCushman on Jun 19, 2009 9:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
You are right and I remember a guy who hit a 15 year old girl walking in the middle of the street,
at 1:30 in the morning. It happened after he left a bar in down town Canon City, Co. The police took the cash register from the bar I shot pool at, and was trying to blame the bar maid of serving him after hours. Witnesses refuted the accusation. He had left the bar and went up town where he continued to drink. He got 3 years for it I believe.
by bfree2bronc on Jun 19, 2009 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Some Arab Countries?
I have never been motivated to comment on this website before…
I find your characterization of America’s legal system compared to “some arab countries” to be extremely offensive. We are far from pure.
This unchecked arrogance is a large part of the reason that we are in the situation we are in with “some arab countries.”
I there maybe a way that you can express that you think the sentence was light with out expressing your ignorant prejudice?
Thanks
by Gmarlin on Jun 20, 2009 9:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't mind being called ignorant, no one is perfect and some people might be offended by being called ignorant and prejudice.
Instead of “Arab” I more accurately should have said, Islamic or Middle Eastern country. “Blood money” is the specific term, and it falls under Crimes of Qisas.
Here’s a summary from Saudi Arabian law on the matter: " If a member of the family was accidentally killed (such as in an automobile accident), the family of the deceased may collect “blood money.” In the past, camels were used as pay for blood money; today the rate of exchange is in currency. There are set damages according to the various circumstances: The payment can be anywhere from SR 120,000 to SR 300,000 ($45,000 to $80,000). If a woman is killed, the payment is one half that of a man. If a person cuts off another person’s body part, the family or the victim may commit the same act upon the guilty party."
http://www.jeansasson.com/law_and_government.htm
You can find similar laws in Pakistan and other Islamic countries, since most of Middle East’s legal systems is based on the Shari. (Honor killings officially do not fall under the category of “blood money” but many countries still let the rich buy off the victims family. Worse, when women are raped, the woman is often lashed. BTW, If you want to defend this system of justice, be my guest. I doubt you will find much support, at least in the area of woman’s rights.)
BTW, I’m not saying one system is better than another. In my opinion, our system is too putative and should focus more on rehabilitation. My point is that in our system, criminal law is not suppose to take into consideration blood money. Lets follow the rules we have. If they change, and the rich can buy themselves out of jail, then we follow those rules.
In addition, one other obvious point. You don’t know me at all. You make some generalizations and assumptions based on your own filters of the world, not mine. Unless you can see through my eyes, and think my thoughts, you cannot know my intention or my attitude.
Facts are facts. “Blood Money” is codified in the Shari, and it’s practice every day in many Islamic countries. Our law separates criminal and tort law. That’s the distinction and there’s no reason be be offended by facts.
Sorry everyone this is so far from the intent of the original post.
Gmarlin, I encourage you to write again, perhaps when you don’t feel offended?
by MichaelCushman on Jun 20, 2009 10:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you continue that trend of not commenting.
In arab countries, they chop off hands and feet for stealing. He was trying to convey the fact that they punish people SEVERELY for offenses.
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by kwool79 on Jun 30, 2009 7:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
And please don't ever post.
Average Raider Fan's IQ = 89
Bill Williamson's IQ = 75
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by kwool79 on Jun 30, 2009 7:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
The fact that he was rich enough to buy off the person’s family should NOT be considered a tribute to him. It’s a sad reflection on a system that replaces justice with finance.
Hillis/Moreno in '09
by Emmett Smith on Jun 20, 2009 10:29 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
"What's the difference?"
Not too long ago a driver in Denver ran over a mother and two young children while the driver was drunk. I believe he got between 15 and 25 years. What’s the difference? Stallworth excaped justice because he is rich and famous and this guy was not.
The fact is that we don’t know what the difference is. The guy in Denver may have had multiple DUI priors and may have lost control of his car because he was going 90 mph and ran up on a lawn to kill the mom and her kids.
The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.
Chuang - Tzu
by bradley on Jun 20, 2009 10:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
30 days for a life
Spin it any way anyone wants this is a crap sentence. He got it light because he actually settled with the family and the crappy laws in Fla were basically since the victim was jay walking lessened the impact of Stallworths guilt. Nop matter he was DRUNK and driving. If Stallworth didnt have money he would have gotten at least 3 years. I dont salute him for admitting his guilt. He put himself in that postion. Another Leonard Little, at least the commish has suspended his butt indefinately (for the time being)
somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 20, 2009 1:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
About five years ago here in Larimer County...
…Colorado, 75 miles north of Denver, two deputy sheriffs, off duty, were driving north on US 287 on their way to a shooting range to do some target practice. The driver turned left, and their car was broadsided by an oncoming car, which was not speeding. It was a clear and sunny day. The deputy who was the passenger was killed. No drugs or alcohol involved. The deputy driver was charged with vehicular homicide. What do you think would be a fair sentence?
The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.
Chuang - Tzu
by bradley on Jun 20, 2009 4:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
In my experience
no sentence could punish the driver worse than he is probably already feeling…
But that isn’t what youa re asking exactly.
There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 20, 2009 11:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
I dont know enuff about what you are referencing to, BUT on Stallworth we all know that he was drunk, he was driving and he KILLED a man crossing the street. So 30 days and 10 yrs probabtion is not enough. When an guy can get more time for killing dogs (Vick) than takining a human life the system has flaws. Now if Leonard Little would not have gotten away with this in 98 I dont there would be the uproar. But the biggest problem here is, that if you have money you can get away with murder, so to speak. The justice system isnt blind as we are told. It does cater to affluent in 9 out 10 cases.
Do I think the deputy got a fair sentence NO, but he evidently wasnt rich. Plus I USE to live in Westminster and I know law enforcement is held in high regards there. (neither here nor there but biases are a fact of life , if he got a judge who has the law enforcement in low regard that could affect his sentence)
If I correct you are an attorney? Do you think it is a just sentence?
somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 21, 2009 2:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
A few points: On Stallworth, we don’t know what happened. It may be that the alcohol had nothing to do with the accident. If you click on the link (provided below by phantom818) there is a story that says the man who died was rushing to catch a bus at 7:15 am, and was not in a crosswalk. He may have run out in front of Stallworth so that Stallworth had no chance to stop. The story does say that Stallworth’s speed was 50 in a 40.
So, one point I’m trying to make is that we don’t know enough about the case to pass judgment. An accident reconstruction expert may have reached the conclusion that even a sober person could not have stopped in time (even if he was only going 40). We don’t know.
What we do know is that the prosecutor agreed to the sentence, and so did the Judge since this was an agreed upon plea and sentencing. I will accept the prosecutor’s and the Judge’s agreement, especially in light of the fact that the victim’s family also agreed to it.
The second point I’m trying to make is that we should be concerned about
baddriving, whatever causes it. There was a fatal accident here a few days ago – an 83 year old driver made a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcyclist, who died. It may be that the motorcyclist was speeding but my guess at this point is that the driver’s age was cause.
So, does it matter if the driver that kills you made the error because he was drunk or because he was not paying attention (like the deputy)? Or because he was too old to be driving? We should be concerned about driving badly, for whatever reason.
And by the way, I don’t know what the deputy was sentenced to. I read about the accident in the paper and then lost track of the story.
The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.
Chuang - Tzu
by bradley on Jun 22, 2009 7:36 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I recall Marshawn Lynch's case a couple of years ago.
Didn’t he do the same thing?
Average Raider Fan's IQ = 89
Bill Williamson's IQ = 75
Find yours by clicking here.
by kwool79 on Jun 30, 2009 7:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
didn't stallworth plead not guilty?
If he did that doesn’t really sound like someone accepting responsibility…and 30 days in jail is ridiculous. Vick got more for killing dogs (which is disgusting) but we generally value human life over animal life (and I know one was intentional and one was accidental but he still made the choice to drink and drive)
Have a good time all the time...that's my motto. - Viv Savage
by TD4HOF on Jun 19, 2009 11:14 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
this is controversial...
but I don’t see drunk driving by choice an accident. It’s a stupid decision that had tragic consequences. He knew what he was doing before he got behind the wheel. It may not have been intentional, but it surely was not an accident either.
Peyton Hills is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Posiden.
by Joe Medina on Jun 19, 2009 11:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know ultimately he did
but I thought at first he was going not guilty…I could be wrong, this is just from memory when it first happened.
Have a good time all the time...that's my motto. - Viv Savage
by TD4HOF on Jun 21, 2009 9:59 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
to be fair
i never said i agree with stallworths sentence.
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by Jon Tollerud on Jun 20, 2009 4:19 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
All kinds of factors
go into a sentencing in a case like this (and all criminal cases). Take two extreme examples: 1) someone has a blood alcohol level of .081, just over the legal limit in most states. He’s driving along, obeying the speed limit, when someone runs out in front of him and gets killed. Not even the soberest professional driver could have stopped in time. 2) someone has a b.a. level of .25, is driving erratically at 60 mph in a residential area, runs a stop sign and kills a pedestrian in the cross walk.
Obviously most vehicular homicide cases are way in the middle of these two extremes. But unless you know the particulars of Stallworth’s case, it’s difficult to know whether the sentence was fair or not. The prosecutor might have agreed to the sentence because of problems with proving that Stallworth was culpable or not.
Growing older is not for sissies. Jack Palance
by bradley on Jun 20, 2009 4:45 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
THE STALLWORTH SENTENCING FACTS
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090617/SPORTS0101/906170372/1126/rss14
From the Detroit News Article: (Emphasis mine)
Miami — Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida, a punishment made possible by his cooperation with investigators and the fervent wish by the victim’s family to put the matter behind them.
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.
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 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.”
This whole incident is a terrible tragedy – but Stallworth has taken full responsibility for his actions. OBTW – 1000 hours of community service is 40 hours/ week for 25 weeks.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also DREAM; not only plan, but also BELIEVE.
by Broncobh on Jun 20, 2009 9:21 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
So his new full time job till January 2010 is community service.
Although I don’t like the tragic outcome of this, It’s hard to hate Stallworth for this. He manned up and took his punishment.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
by Joe Medina on Jun 20, 2009 9:59 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
What?
The victim’s family situation was a civil issue! The fact that the family wanted to put the matter behind them was legal-eze for “to hell with life, show me the money!” It’s sickening! Sets another horrible example and supports the premise that justice isn’t blind, it’s a whore! How anyone got this started astounds me! How could anyone agree with this inhumane legal verdict?
If BM wants to threaten, slap, intimidate or hold his women hostage then he’ll do so until someone finally stops him…but he’s not killing people…. Yet! Until then, I don’t see any possible means to compare abhorent behavior to murder! And….While your having a few cold ones. American Justice System… Gotta love it, right (Dante’ and Leonard)
Hope BM gets his act together, grows up, accepts responsibility for his reprehensible off field antics. Hope he sees this Stallworth situation as a roadmap for things to never do… Learn from it, don’t ignore it!
"Attitude reflects Leadership" Hogblog...aka KSM
by Hogblog on Jun 20, 2009 3:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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