Dante Stallworth's Sentence

[gator]

I guess I'm a little slow hearing about this story, but just heard about Dante Stallworth's jail sentence for killing somebody with his car while under the influence. Technically, it was manslaughter. He got 30 days in jail, 10 years probation, and settled an undisclosed amount to the family. Really? 30 days in jail for killing someone recklessly by driving drunk? Anyone else feel that was a "little" lenient? I'm sure all of us would have gotten the same sentence.

[bluefan]

I guess I'm a little slow hearing about this story, but just heard about Dante Stallworth's jail sentence for killing somebody with his car while under the influence. Technically, it was manslaughter. He got 30 days in jail, 10 years probation, and settled an undisclosed amount to the family. Really? 30 days in jail for killing someone recklessly by driving drunk? Anyone else feel that was a "little" lenient? I'm sure all of us would have gotten the same sentence.

If I recall the story correctly the dude that got hit was at fault and Stallworth would have been free of any blame if he hadn't blown over. I believe he also barely blew over.
In light of all that his lawyer(s) probably did some slick wheeling and dealing with the judge and probably the deceased's family to get the slap on the wrist he got. And yes, if any of us had enough $$ we could have gotten the same deal. Not saying it's right but it's the way it is.

[gator]

And yes, if any of us had enough $$ we could have gotten the same deal.

Ding, Ding, Ding......we have a winner! The key words: IF and $$$$$$.

[Mike Furley]

right wing columnist goes the class warfare route in his analysis: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/06/21/money_talks_-_justice_walks_97097.html

I think this analysis is a heaping pile of manure. Here are some facts the writer omits:

The pedestrian, who he paints as a guy waiting for the bus, jaywalked across a six lane highway in the early dawn hours. Had he been hit by anyone other than Stallworth, the pedestrian would have been at complete fault.

Donte Stallworth's blood alcohol content was .12 - just two one hundredths over the legal limit. If Donte Stallworth's measurables are accrurate, he is 6'00" tall and weighs 200lbs. I'm sure this means he probably is closer to 5'10" 190lbs. According to some drunk driving site I was looking at, a 200lb man would need to consume 3 drinks an hour over three hours to reach .12. This does not sound like an Alex Boone type offense. Additionally, Stallworth does not have a prior history of drug & alcohol abuse or drunk driving history like Leonard Little. It sounds a lot more like Stallworth consumed alcohol at a rather responsible rate than as some sort of binge drink-fest rate.

I think the decision was just and the prosecutors, judge, Stallworth, and the victim's family should be commended for reaching a just resolution when it would otherwise be easy to paint this tragedy as something more like what the writer of the above linked article does.