Donte Stallworth and You: Why We're Different

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Since the families of the deceased can’t sue Joe Six Pack for $10 million and expect to see one penny of that amount, Joe Six Pack goes to jail for 15 years. Stallworth empties a huge portion of his bank account and only gets 30 days behind bars.

So for an “undisclosed amount,” Stallworth effectively bought out his jail time. He still gets the house arrest and probation, but it beats actually sitting in a prison cell. It was money well spent.

I can’t bring myself to pass judgment on the Reyes family for letting themselves be “bought out,” because I’m not in their position. If they turn down the money and make Stallworth spend more time in jail, how does that bring Mario back?

In these tough economic times, I can’t be upset with them for taking the money. Maybe Mario would have wanted it that way.

For all the people out there sitting in jail for extended lengths for the same crime, this feels unfair. 

It is unfair. But life is unfair.

If I was filthy rich, there’s a lot of stuff I wouldn’t worry about. On the other hand, I’d always be paranoid that I was going to get targeted in a multimillion dollar lawsuit for something little just because someone saw an opportunity for a payday.

I’m not saying I wouldn’t trade lifestyles with the rich and famous, I’m merely pointing out that having a lot of money, especially so much so young, can bring its own set of problems and frustrations.

At the end of the day, the family of the deceased and the legal system came to an agreement, and the rest of the public has to accept that agreement. That’s how the system works. Having worked around the court system for seven years, I know for a fact prosecutors and defense attorneys do everything within their power to avoid a trial. This outcome is a result of that desire.

Stallworth got off easy, no doubt about that. He’ll be able to make a lot of the money he lost back. Even with the expected NFL suspension, Stallworth, 28, still has several more years of football left in him.

He’ll be able to recoup that money with his next contract. He’ll still be able to do the things everyone else does everyday with the help of a driver, because he can afford to pay one.

When you think about it, Stallworth, who was on his way to the beach that morning, still will be able to finish that trip the day he gets out of jail—on July 16.

Reyes can’t go to the beach anymore because he’s dead.

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