PFT: Report: DUI Manslaughter Charges Coming Today For Stallworth

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Mike Florio on April 1, 2009, 12:21 p.m.

This isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke.

(Why do we feel like we need to start every story like that today?)

The folks at WSVN in Miami are reporting that Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth will be charged later today with DUI manslaughter.

The charges arise from the March 14 collison between Stallworth’s Bentley and 59-year-old Mario Reyes, who later died.

Under Florida law, DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony, carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Multiple reports surfaced in the days after the incident that Stallworth’s blood alcohol concentration exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Accounts as to the specific number ranged from 0.12 to 0.14 percent.

Per WVSN, Miami Beach police have been in touch with Stallworth’s lawyer to negotiate the terms of his surrender.

 

[tunahelper]

But he is really, really, sorry!

 

[RESIN8]

Browns=Crabtree.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

manslaughter sounds about right

 

[tunahelper]

A friend of mine did 11 years in Florida after killing someone driving drunk. He had a clean record prior to that and was 20 years old at the time. We will see if money buys him wiggle room?

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

A friend of mine did 11 years in Florida after killing someone driving drunk. He had a clean record prior to that and was 20 years old at the time. We will see if money buys him wiggle room?

He will do at least 5 years.

 

[Avery]

He'll do some time - I'm betting he takes a plea deal of some sort.

 

[the kid 05]

AP sources: Browns' Stallworth will be charged with DUI manslaughter

Associated Press

MIAMI -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth will be charged Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk in Miami, according to people familiar with the case.
Donte Stallworth, WR
Cleveland Browns

Career Statistics:
Receptions: 296
Yards: 4,383
Touchdowns: 32

Two people said an arrest warrant charging the 28-year-old Stallworth with DUI manslaughter will be filed Wednesday in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. The people requested anonymity because the charges haven't been announced.

The charge carries a possible 15-year prison sentence. Stallworth's blood-alcohol level after the crash was .12, well above Florida's legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth will also be charged with DUI, according to the people informed about the case.

Stallworth, who is expected to surrender in court Thursday, released a statement last month saying he was "grief-stricken" over the accident.

A Miami Beach police report said that Reyes was not in a crosswalk on busy MacArthur Causeway when he was struck by the Bentley luxury car driven by Stallworth. The construction crane operator was trying to catch a bus home after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m.

The report also quoted Stallworth as saying he flashed his lights at Reyes in an attempted warning and that 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. He previously played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80f8d101&template=without-video&confirm=true

 

[WoodysGirl]

Stallworth Arrest Coming Tomorrow

Posted by Mike Florio on April 1, 2009, 1:30 p.m.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth will be arrested on Thursday in connection with the March 14 death of Mario Reyes, who was struck by a car Stallworth was driving.

We’re also told that charges formally won’t be entered against Stallworth for three or four weeks.

Regardless of the timeline, it’s clear that Stallworth will be facing a charge of DUI manslaughter, and a potentially extensive prison stay.

Though Rams defensive end Leonard Little served only 90 days after killing Susan Gutweiler while driving drunk in 1998, we’ve got a feeling that Stallworth won’t get off that easily more than a decade later, if he is convicted.

 

[Faerluna]

I really, really hope that this is all the wake up call that these players need and start hiring a driver/car service for themselves.

Sad situation for all involved.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

If I was stallworth I wouldn't surrender. I'd hold up in my house and dare them to come get me. The only way I'm leaving is dead 15 years in prison....**** that.

 

[Big Dakota]

When it's all said and done i bet he serves 18 months max.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

If I was stallworth I wouldn't surrender. I'd hold up in my house and dare them to come get me. The only way I'm leaving is dead 15 years in prison....**** that.

And this bunch of BS lets us all know that you'd be at the DA's office cutting a deal and pleading for your life. But, yeah, the other way sounds MUCH BETTER on the internet.



As for Dante...sorry don't feel bad for ya bud. You were driving drunk and you were speeding. You did two things, that were completely in your control, that helped contribute to the death of another person. You deserve what you get.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

And this bunch of BS lets us all know that you'd be at the DA's office cutting a deal and pleading for your life. But, yeah, the other way sounds MUCH BETTER on the internet.



As for Dante...sorry don't feel bad for ya bud. You were driving drunk and you were speeding. You did two things, that were completely in your control, that helped contribute to the death of another person. You deserve what you get.

I think I'm passed the age where I try to look cool on the internet. However, man 15 years in jail I'd rather be dead man and that's the honest truth. Those 15 years.......

 

[Bob Sacamano]

And this bunch of BS lets us all know that you'd be at the DA's office cutting a deal and pleading for your life. But, yeah, the other way sounds MUCH BETTER on the internet.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Really? Ouch...I don't know. I mean don't get me wrong I wouldn't be looking forward to 15 in the can, by any means, but to choose death instead?

I don't know. I mean the guy ain't old, ya know? So even if he had to do 15 (which he won't do anything near that) we're talking about a guy that would be in his early 40's. He'd still have a whole life ahead of him.

Nah, I can't see wanting to check out early instead.

 

[Woods]

Not to be insensitive, I guess that potentially means there is a reduced probability that B Edwards gets traded to the Giants, correct?

 

[RedRaiderCowboysFan]

Not only is he facing prison, but also a massive wrongful death suit. The place that served Daunte alcohol might also be liable under dram shop statutes depending on other mitigating factors

 

[Concord]

Browns’ Stallworth charged in fatal crash

Wide receiver struck and killed pedestrian, had blood-alcohol level of 0.12

Donte Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. He previously played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.



MIAMI - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk in Miami.

An arrest warrant charging Stallworth, 28, with DUI manslaughter was filed in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. If convicted, Stallworth would face a maximum 15-year prison sentence.

Stallworth’s blood-alcohol level after the crash was .126, well above Florida’s legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth will also be charged with DUI, which carries a possible six-month sentence plus fines and community service for first offenders.

Stallworth, who is expected to surrender in court Thursday, released a statement last month saying he was “grief-stricken” over the accident. Prosecutors said they will ask that he be released on $200,000 bail.

A Miami Beach police report said that Reyes was not in a crosswalk on busy MacArthur Causeway when he was struck by the Bentley luxury car driven by Stallworth. The construction crane operator was trying to catch a bus home after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m.

The report also quoted Stallworth as saying he flashed his lights at Reyes in an attempted warning and that Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

An additional police affidavit filed Wednesday said that on the morning of the crash, Stallworth was drinking at a club in the posh Fountainebleau hotel on South Beach. He left to go to a nearby home — it’s not clear if the home was one of Stallworth’s three Miami-area properties — and then headed out to the causeway where Reyes was struck.

“I hit a man lying in the road,” Stallworth told officers arriving to investigate the crash, according to the affidavit. One officer smelled alcohol on Stallworth’s breath and said that his eyes appear “bloodshot and watery.”

Stallworth’s attorney Christopher Lyons did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. He previously played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.



http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29994272/

 

[Sarge]

He'll do some time - I'm betting he takes a plea deal of some sort.

One has to be offered first.