NFL player finds freedom comes at a price in Florida

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If Florida wanted to send a message about the price of justice in the state, it succeeded on Tuesday. A Miami-Dade County judge sentenced Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth to 24 days in jail — 30 total, but he will serve only 24  — for manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol.

That’s the same state where Daniel Espinoza received a 24-year sentence in 2008 from a Palm Beach County judge for a DUI manslaughter conviction in an accident in which two were killed.

Who’s Espinoza? Well, that’s the point. Stallworth is a famous football player with a $35 million contract with the Browns. Espinoza, at the time of the accident, was a 17-year-old kid.

Stallworth could have received 15-year sentence for killing 59-year-old Mario Reyes without the plea deal, which includes two years of house arrest, eight years of probation and permanent loss of his driver’s license. (Conveniently, the house arrest will not interfere with Stallworth’s football career. Oh, and the loss of license? Turns out it won’t be permanent, either.)

Do you think Espinoza was offered that plea deal?

Stallworth also reached a “settlement” with the family of the deceased. An attorney said after the 30-day sentence was pronounced that the Reyes family wanted to bring “closure to this emotional and tragic event.”

Stallworth also must undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime drivers license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service. [Stallworth attorney Christopher] Lyons said after five years, Stallworth could win approval for limited driving such as for employment.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle echoed Lyons in citing Stallworth’s lack of previous criminal record, cooperation and willingness to accept responsibility as factors in the plea deal. Rundle also said the Reyes family — particularly the victim’s 15-year-old daughter — wanted the case resolved to avoid any more pain.

“For all of these reasons, a just resolution of this case has been reached,” Rundle said.

Meanwhile, the family of the victim in the Espinoza case found a just resolution as well in the 24-year sentence.

“Justice has been provided to us,” a family member said at the time. “Now we have closure.”

Stallworth will be able to play football again, possibly this season pending an NFL decision on a suspension. Espinoza could remain in jail until he’s 40.

Twenty-four days.

Twenty-four years.

Same court system, with justice for all some.

via The Associated Press: Browns Stallworth pleads guilty and gets 30 days