Stallworth’s lenient sentence irks MADD

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 12:46 AM Thursday, June 18, 2009

The criminal justice system in Miami fumbled a chance to send a strong message about drunken driving with the laughable plea agreement reached in the DUI manslaughter case of Donte Stallworth.

Facing up to 15 years in prison for killing a 59-year-old man after a night of drinking, the Cleveland Browns receiver instead was given a 30-day jail sentence. And five of those days were waived, meaning he’ll be out in plenty of time for training camp. Isn’t that a relief?

“That (lenient sentence) is what we were talking about in the office,” said Andrea Rehkamp, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Southwest Ohio. “What did Michael Vick get for fighting dogs?”

Try 23 months. Of course, there’s two years of house arrest, community service, probation and possible NFL penalties for Stallworth, but aside from the player and his high-priced lawyers, does anyone think the punishment fits the crime in this case?

“MADD is profoundly disappointed in the 30-day jail sentence for Donte Stallworth, who killed a pedestrian while driving drunk,” the organization said in a statement. “We have heard there may be a contribution to MADD in the settlement (with the victim’s family), and if that is true, we will not accept any monies.

“This case is a clear test of the NFL’s continued tolerance of drunk driving among its players. We are closely watching what the NFL does.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com

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