Friday, June 19, 2009

NFL suspends Stallworth indefinitely


(CNN) - Cleveland Browns wide recipient Donte Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League, the day after he pleaded guilty of murder of a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol, the NFL said. Stallworth, 28, pleaded guilty in a Florida court Tuesday to DUI manslaughter charges in the May death of construction worker Mario Reyes. Under the conditions of application approval, he will serve 30 days. Prosecutors say he began serving his sentence immediately.

"This is reflected in the guilty plea resulted in tragic loss of life and is inexcusable," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told Stallworth in a letter Thursday, the league said. Quote from a letter posted on the NFL Web site.


"The criminal justice system has set legal consequences of this incident, it is my responsibility as the NFL commissioner to determine the appropriate league for disciplinary action, which has caused irreparable harm to the victim and her family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL."

Stallworth's suspension effective immediately, the league said. Goodell wrote in a letter that the "exchange value" league that will contact the lawyer to schedule a meeting with him, after the final determination will be made on discipline.

Stallworth is driving a black Bentley GT Macarthur dam on the east, which connects Miami, Florida, to South Beach area of Miami Beach, when he hit Reyes in the morning on March 14, according to prosecutors. He has been drinking at a Miami Beach club, according to court documents. Blood-alcohol levels were 0.126 percent, prosecutors said; Florida legal limit is 0.08. Reyes, 59, has been reported to the bus stop after work when he was struck. Court documents say he suffered "critical head, chest and abdominal injuries and died in hospital.

When police arrived at the place, they Stallworth, he is a driver of the car and Reyes admitted striking.

During Tuesday's hearing, he Stallworth offered "deepest condolences to the Reyes family."

"Although I can not bring back Mr. Reyes or ease his family's pain, and I can do that will honor the memory by the time, me and my vote is by educating the public about the dangers of drunk driving," he said.

Stallworth can serve up to 15 years in prison. But State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle noted in a statement that he cooperated with authorities and has no previous criminal record or traffic violations. Reyes' family support request approval, he said.

Stallworth's attorney, Chris Lyons, on Tuesday told CNN sister network HLN that has reached Stallworth "amicable" financial settlement with the Reyes' family but will not reveal the amount. Stallworth said the length of prison term "has nothing to do with Donte Stallworth as celebrities, professional soccer players or money."

Stallworth has shown "genuine remorse" and accept responsibility for the action, said Lyons.

Goodell wrote Stallworth that there is "sufficient evidence to warrant significant discipline" under the NFL personal conduct and substance abuse policy. "There is no reasonable dispute that continues to meet the requirements to participate at this time will damage the integrity and public trust in the league," said the letter.

"Everyone associated with the major league benefits that come from participating in the game and of our extraordinary support we received from the community," Goodell wrote. "With this benefit comes, among others, to perform the responsibilities in a responsible and lawful way, without any right or expectation of good."

NFL Goodell told the club earlier this year that will handle the increased driving under the influence and evil, the league said. He notes NFL offers "safe rides" program used by most of the clubs to provide players and other employees with alternative transportation if they have been drinking.

Under the terms of Stallworth's plea agreement, he will face two years of house arrest upon release. He also requested to donate $ 2,500 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, serving eight years probation and submit to random alcohol and drug test him throughout the trial. His driver's license has been revoked permanently.


thx to (CNN)

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