No justice...no peace

[Dr.S]

I agree.....my point was that he is not just writing a check and getting 30 days in jail.........he was "drunk"yes......so throw away the key? You do not think he is being punished enough? 3 MIL.....LIFETIME LISCENCE SUSPENSION....2 YEARS HOME ARREST.......6 MORE YEARS PROBATION......1000 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE? Heck, give my 5 years!

He will have the ability earn many millions of dollars; and I bet within the next few years he will be back in court and have his license.

Think about it in very simple terms (and I'm not even speaking about the murder). If a DUI meant an automatic 1 year in jail; no if's and's or but's---how many DUI's do you think we'd see?

 

[Dr.S]

Good think Dante wasn't in El Salvador!



Drunk Driving Penalties in other Countries

Australia:
The names of the drivers are sent to the local newspapers and are printed under the heading "He's Drunk and in Jail".
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Malaysia:
The Driver is jailed and if married, his wife is jailed too.
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South Africa
A 10 year prison sentence and the equivalent of a $10,000.00 fine
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Turkey
Drunk drivers are taken 20 miles outside of town by police and are forced to walk back under escort
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Norway
Three weeks in jail at hard labor, one year loss of license. Second offense within five years, license revoked for life.
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Finland & Sweden
Automatic jail for one year of hard labor
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Costa Rica
Police remove plates fron car
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Russia
License revoked for life
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England
One year suspension and a $250.00 fine and jail for one year
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France
Three year loss of license, one year in jail and a $1000.00 fine
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Poland
Jail, fine and forced to attend political lectures
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Bulgaria
A second conviction results in execution
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El Salvador
Your first offense is your last---execution by firing squad

 

[jm425]

OMG, france's penalty is pretty bad. Attending political lectures? That's torture!!! Seriously though, execution by firing squad for drunk driving? I think that may be a bit much, although I despise drunk drivers.

 

[Gunsmith]

I agree that the penilties in the US are laxed for DUI's , DUI's result in ALOT of deaths every year. I think that a $10,000 fine or 6 months in jail and one year of suspended driving for your first DUI would realy cut down on the amount of drunks on the road.

Killing sombody because your were DUI should carry a mandatory "involuntary manslaughter" charge for the first offense.

and like others stated criminals have far to many rights in the US and thats due to money making people greedy.

as for his loosing his rights to play ball anymore , well he went to collage , lets hope he learned somthing usefull !! Their are to many pro athletes commit crimes and get away with little to no punishment other than money lost to continue to break the law , like Michael Irvin and several others , then kids grow up looking up to these clowns as role models and think that their actions are acceptable

 

[PHIL HERNON]

Dantes' Lawyers response

Cornwell Addresses Critics Of Stallworth Sentence



On March 14, 2009, shortly after 2:00 a.m., I answered my cell phone in Hawaii and heard the following: “DC, this is bad. I hit a man.”

With this simple declaration, Donte’ Stallworth described a tragedy and took personal responsibility for it. Over the next three months, Donte’ and his mother, Donna, guided this process with a simple yet profound directive: “I am responsible. Do the right thing.”

I am baffled by the outcry and criticism of Donte’s punishment. In tragic circumstances such as these, our civil and criminal laws are designed to determine who is responsible and hold that person accountable. By immediately accepting his responsibility and agreeing to be held accountable, Donte’ spared the Reyes family the pain of reliving a tragedy and spared the State of Florida the expense and risks of attempting to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in what would have been a highly publicized and hotly contested trial.

Everyone who was involved in this process approved of the result: law enforcement, Florida State Court Judge Dennis Murphy, State Attorney, Katherine Rundle, the Miami/Dade County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and, most importantly, Mr. Reyes’ family. Ms. Rundle stated that: “the unique facts involved with this charge, Mr. Stallworth’s excellent pre-incident history of community service, abundant references that attest to his good character, his lack of any traffic violations or criminal convictions, his full and complete post-incident cooperation with law enforcement, and his willingness to accept complete responsibility for his actions” confirmed that “a just resolution of this case has been reached.” This is precisely how the criminal justice system in this country is supposed to work.

We have been asked to justify Donte’s sentence by comparing it to Michael Vick’s sentence. We cannot do so any better than we can explain the difference between an apple and an orange. Sometimes a difference is so obvious that describing it is illusive.

Under our system of justice, every case stands on its own merits and the facts drive the results. A major factor in this resolution was the Reyes family’s desire not to relive this tragedy through a trial, so we will not try this case in the media. However, it must be noted that given “the unique facts involved,” causation was in dispute and would have been the central focus of Donte’s defense.

Critics of Donte’ punishment are essentially accusing the judge and the prosecutor of complicity in a scheme that defies description. Had we forced a trial and won an acquittal based on “the unique facts involved,” Donte’ would have been exonerated, Mr. Reyes’ daughter would have been psychologically scared, and our critics would have gotten their train wreck. The public has every right to express its opinion, but judicial
determinations are based on facts and evidence.

Any assertion that financial considerations drove the result is offensive, tramples on Mr. Reyes’ memory, and is a vicious accusation about his family. Donte’ accepted his responsibility minutes after the tragedy and accepted his civil responsibility to Mr. Reyes’ family. There was no reason to delay resolution of the civil issues with the family.

Donte’ is a good person who did a bad thing. The authenticity of Donte’s remorse and good character is revealed in the consistency of his conduct throughout this tragic ordeal. From his pained acknowledgment “DC . . . I hit a man” to his statement in open court “I
offer my plea and I accept my responsibility for this tragedy,” Donte’ Stallworth has consistently accepted personal responsibility for his conduct and the pain that he caused.

“I am responsible. Do the right thing.”

What more could we ask?

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

wether you like it or not Stallworth is coming out on the loosing end of this. (over Vick that is)

30 days in prison violates the NFL contract he has. But the circumstances must be over lookd by the NFL commisioner to see what he actually violated in that contract and if he wants to suspend him for many games or ban him all together from footbal.

His drivers license is gone for the rest of his life. He can apply for special workers hours drivers license after 5 years. But the judge would have to approve that.

He has I think like 1000 community hours he must do.

Under house arrest for 2 years and 8 YEARS ON PROBATION!

He must also submit to random alcohol and drug testing through the NFL's substance abuse program.

Settled out of court with the family for a undiclosed sum of money. ALL OF WICH was hurried up by the dead guys family who through their lawyer said they wanted to get over this "as quickly as posible"!

Gaurenteed to loose many of his endorsement deals.

He will also get involved in drunken-driving education programs.

Donte was charged with DUI manslaughter, and not vehichular(?) homicide. He hit a man who was jaywalking across the street. So he killed a man that was jaywalking, but did not kill the man as a direct result of his drinking. And that is where the law gets a bit dicey. What saved him from real jail time was just that. The man jaywalked and he killed him because of the jaywalking. Not the drinking. Thats how the judge saw it. It may sound like apples and oranges here BUT that was the correct interpretation of the law. (yes i know it sucks)

Now again, he is getting 30days from the judge, BUT as I stated earlier the NFL is now going to look at the DUI part of it. And see if he violated their NFL rules or code of conduct "while off the field". The Browns may very well get let him go. We don't know yet.

NOW, the difference between Vick and Stallworth:

Vick was sentenced under a bunch of laws here. Illegal dog fighting. Gambling. Interstate illegal transportation of an animal for the purposes of gambling. And a host of other things. what Vick got convicted of was all FEDERAL crimes. And thus he had no choice but to do FEDERAL time.

In Stallworths case. His was a local Municipal case. DUI, that is NOT A FEDERAL CRIME. Thus the county judge has the right to lesson the sentence at his disposal if he feels the person can better service the community by his time, actions and of course money. Wich is the way many of big time movie stars, singers, pro athletes get off. What helped Stallworth also was the fact that he cooperated fully with the police from the beggining to the end. Even pulled over after he hit the man and called police right from the accident. It showed the judge he was remorseful for what he did.

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

And yes killing anyone is wrong. There i said it. But we have to look at every case indivudually and not as a whole. That's my whole point to my post above!

 

[kid1dakota]

If his name was Dante williams a guy living in the hood would this be the sentence? Its not about if he is a nice guy or not, its about if you have $$ and celebrity things turn out different.Thats great he stepped up and took responsibilty I admire that.But like the above Dante williams would get a public defender and wouldn't even have the chance to really say anything.
I don't think it is even a debate that celebrities have always gotten hand slaps.Mike Tyson did his time in a juvenile center .Ray lewis walked ,two dead.Kobe spent millions and ruined a young girls life by slandering her after at best he cheated on his wife.O.J!!and I could go on and on and on...

 

[Stewie Griffon]

the dog fighting is is cruel, people who engage in that acticity do so willingly, in total control of their faculties. also people who fight dogs dont randomly get up one day, take their dog to a fight - they TRAIN them to do so. it is PLANNED well ahead of time. the dogs are tortured since birth so they are aggressive, proving a pre-conceived plan. then an entire network of underground contacts - all scumbags, must be acquired. this shows much forethought and pre-meditation to commit a cruel act.

the drunk driver didnt intend to kill or harm anyone, millions of people get drunk all the time. no one plans ahead to cause harm to others when they drink, their goal is to have fun, like everyone else. of course alchol impaires brain function and sometimes the results are tragic. the difference here there is no forethought of malice. this does not make it ok, but there IS a difference between planned harm and random misfortune

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

Mike Tyson did his time in a juvenile center .

Wich conviction are you referring to? He has been in and out a number of times. This isn't the one involving the Miss Black America contest 18-year-old Desiree Washington is it??? Cause he did 3 years in prison not a juvie center for that crime.

 

[Dr.S]

Ok

lets look at it in a different way. Phil, or anyone else for that matter--your son/daughter/wife/husband is crossing the street, maybe out in the street to get a ball that rolled out of the yard; maybe even jaywalking. Some guy who is piss drunk runs over and kills your loved one. Now what do you think of 30 days in jail? are you really going to be happy with that? How many on here can truly say they would be satisfied with this verdict?

As I already stated, whether or not the guy was jaywalking is irrelevent. Stallworth should never have gotten behind the wheel. Penalities like these are why the USA has TONS of DUI's--so many more than other countries. I've been in the insurance industry for a long time and seen lots people with multiple DUI's. Most of them get their license back---Stallworth will have his license back within a few years. As for the community service--there is a good chance he won't complete all of it (you just won't hear about it in the news unless the organization doesn't cover it up well enough).

Once again, if a DUI meant a minium of 1 year in jail--Regardless of the circumstances (in other words, you are intoxicated and driving a vehicle)--how many DUI's do you think we'd see each year? How many accidents and death's could be averted b/c people would be scared shitless to get in a car knowing they could face 1 year in prison. It's a simple solution, but most of us know the Gvmt does not have our best interest in mind when creating laws.

 

[kid1dakota]

Wich conviction are you referring to? He has been in and out a number of times. This isn't the one involving the Miss Black America contest 18-year-old Desiree Washington is it??? Cause he did 3 years in prison not a juvie center for that crime.

Nope he was in the in the Indiana Youth Center located near the Indianapolis airport.

 

[PHIL HERNON]

Well

If his name was Dante williams a guy living in the hood would this be the sentence? Its not about if he is a nice guy or not, its about if you have $$ and celebrity things turn out different.Thats great he stepped up and took responsibilty I admire that.But like the above Dante williams would get a public defender and wouldn't even have the chance to really say anything.
I don't think it is even a debate that celebrities have always gotten hand slaps.Mike Tyson did his time in a juvenile center .Ray lewis walked ,two dead.Kobe spent millions and ruined a young girls life by slandering her after at best he cheated on his wife.O.J!!and I could go on and on and on...

This is America, money talks.....Ray Lewis did not kill anyone......That gal went to Kobes room.........you see jealous of people and want them all to be locked away............are you all for locking up AAS users too?

 

[PHIL HERNON]

Ok

lets look at it in a different way. Phil, or anyone else for that matter--your son/daughter/wife/husband is crossing the street, maybe out in the street to get a ball that rolled out of the yard; maybe even jaywalking. Some guy who is piss drunk runs over and kills your loved one. Now what do you think of 30 days in jail? are you really going to be happy with that? How many on here can truly say they would be satisfied with this verdict?

As I already stated, whether or not the guy was jaywalking is irrelevent. Stallworth should never have gotten behind the wheel. Penalities like these are why the USA has TONS of DUI's--so many more than other countries. I've been in the insurance industry for a long time and seen lots people with multiple DUI's. Most of them get their license back---Stallworth will have his license back within a few years. As for the community service--there is a good chance he won't complete all of it (you just won't hear about it in the news unless the organization doesn't cover it up well enough).

Once again, if a DUI meant a minium of 1 year in jail--Regardless of the circumstances (in other words, you are intoxicated and driving a vehicle)--how many DUI's do you think we'd see each year? How many accidents and death's could be averted b/c people would be scared shitless to get in a car knowing they could face 1 year in prison. It's a simple solution, but most of us know the Gvmt does not have our best interest in mind when creating laws.

The man was jaywalking and that is what killed him.......this was not a drunk driving death, it was a jaywalking death.......I see Jaywalkers all day long and they do not look, they just walk...........maybe this will send a message that cars can kill.

 

[kid1dakota]

This is America, money talks.....Ray Lewis did not kill anyone......That gal went to Kobes room.........you see jealous of people and want them all to be locked away............are you all for locking up AAS users too?

WTF? jealous? I wish I could committ crimes and walk? yeah thats my fantasy I think since you know Dante your becoming defensive and not being rational.You don't think celebrities have always gotten off easy compared to the average working stiff.your right "money talks" so if you can buy your way out thats cool with you? The girl went to kobes room so she deserved what she got right phil?what if that was your mom or sister? like someone above said you would have a different attitude if it was a family member dead,not your buddy the defendant.
And AAS users arent kiilling people,how do you even put those two together?I respect you Phil,but your not being rational.you are to close to this to be objective.

 

[joshbarnett]

overly stiff penalties for dui's will never happen...makes the legal system more money and the alcohol industry would lose money if people were to scared to go to a bar and drink...its all about money. just like everything else.

 

[PHIL HERNON]

Well

WTF? jealous? I wish I could committ crimes and walk? yeah thats my fantasy I think since you know Dante your becoming defensive and not being rational.You don't think celebrities have always gotten off easy compared to the average working stiff.your right "money talks" so if you can buy your way out thats cool with you? The girl went to kobes room so she deserved what she got right phil?what if that was your mom or sister? like someone above said you would have a different attitude if it was a family member dead,not your buddy the defendant.
And AAS users arent kiilling people,how do you even put those two together?I respect you Phil,but your not being rational.you are to close to this to be objective.

1. You were in Kobes room? You believe the media?
2. Buy your way out is totally cool with me.........this is America the last time I checked........buy unfortunately times are changing.......it wont be this way for much longer.
3. That being said, you were not privy to the prosecutors meeting with the defendant and judge were you? Please enlighten me and tell me what I am missing.
4. You cant pick and choose your crimes......well, I guess you can because you dont want to go to prison for AAS use now do you? You better stop and think what being objective is.

 

[kid1dakota]

1. You were in Kobes room? You believe the media?
2. Buy your way out is totally cool with me.........this is America the last time I checked........buy unfortunately times are changing.......it wont be this way for much longer.
3. That being said, you were not privy to the prosecutors meeting with the defendant and judge were you? Please enlighten me and tell me what I am missing.
4. You cant pick and choose your crimes......well, I guess you can because you dont want to go to prison for AAS use now do you? You better stop and think what being objective is.

agree to disagree I guess

 

[kid1dakota]

The man was jaywalking and that is what killed him.......this was not a drunk driving death, it was a jaywalking death.......I see Jaywalkers all day long and they do not look, they just walk...........maybe this will send a message that cars can kill.

Wow ! What would the outcome have been if Dante took this stance? Is this what he has said to you? interesting.

 

[PHIL HERNON]

Interesting yes

Wow ! What would the outcome have been if Dante took this stance? Is this what he has said to you? interesting.

I wonder what you would say if your mother was driving that car and someone walked out in front of her .....interesting........how objective can you be now? Picture your mother driving and your father walking in front of the car..........tragic huh? Lock mom up for 10 years? How about 30 days, lifetime liscence suspension, 3 million to your pocket, 2 years house arest, 6 years probation, 1000 hours community service, drug counselling, suspended form work for who knows how long............is that enough? Seriously.....tell me it is not enough......tell me.