Audible: Donte Stallworth Posturing
Posted on June 20th, 2009 by Corey Griffin
It’s a slow news day so you’ll have to forgive me, but since we’ve officially entered the waiting phase of the offseason, I figured I’d throw an idea out there. Donte Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely, but that’s like to be reduced to roughly 8 games (what Leonard Little got for a similar incident) and when it is, he’ll likely be released from Cleveland.
Let’s say there’s no Plaxico option and come Week 5 or 6, it’s clear that the Jets’ wideouts are struggling outside of Jerricho. How would you guys feel about adding him to a one-year, low-money, low-risk deal to see if he could help in the 2nd half?
Filed under: Audible
I’d have to pass, he hasn’t done anything with the browns, did nothing with the pats and wasn’t great before that either.
My personal guess? He winds up in the UFL
When was the last time that stalleorth played a full, productive season?
He’s not that good. A man died, can’t do it, won’t do it. The law calls for what ? 5 years, he pays 4 million to the family does 30 days and community service. In one respect restituition is something for the family, but I’m uncomfortable for anyone to buy his way out of this.
For the good of the league, the commishner should keep this indefinite. Send a message.
My question is : Would the evidence had shown Stallworth to be guilty of vehiclular homicide if he had NOT been drinking? there seems to be a frenzy going on ala Vick !!
fonzie,
You realize you’re a moron, right?
He is a murderer. Vick gets 2 years, he gets 30 days? Absolute bull.
Ok, sounds good, lets bring in O.J Simpson too! There have been reports that Ryan Leak has been secretly working out and practicing his QB skills up in Canada. This has drawn much interest around the NFL but its rumored the Jets have the inside track.
No, sorry.
ramble914;
It looks like another feeding frenzy is about to start with me being the hunteeand you the head hunter.
Before you all get too wrapped up in your ouwn vitriolic hate understand this:
EVERYONE INVOLVED(including the victems family) WAS ONBOARD WITH THIS RULING !!!
READ BELLOW !!!!!!
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle issued a statement regarding what some might see as leniency in Stallworth’s case.
”We have looked at the unique facts involved with this charge, Mr. Stallworth’s excellent pre-incident history of community service, abundant references that attest to his good character, his lack of any traffic violations or criminal convictions, his full and complete post-incident cooperation with law enforcement and his willingness to accept complete responsibility for his actions,” Rundle said.
”The terms of the plea have been agreed upon between the State Attorney’s Office and the police, and has been extended with the full endorsement and consent of the Reyes family, who believe this plea and its timing are in the best interest of their 15-year-old daughter, the sole remaining child of Mario Reyes. Although no sentence can ever restore Mr. Reyes to his family, the provisions of this plea will provide closure to them and appropriate punishment for Mr. Stallworth’s conduct and the effects of his actions that night.”
Incase you don’t know the state atty. supposedly represents THE PEOPLE. I think that includes you too!!
Suggestion: You should refrain from showing your intelligence by calling others moron.
Need I say more?
he is also doing 2yrs house arrest hes not aloud out
This wouldn’t be bad deal if we were to be in that scenario. But, here’s a better on: Let’s have some foresight and add another quality WR right now so we don’t even have to contemplate seeing a situation like this.
gsteigs:
Not sure but I don’t think it will be ” house arrest” as we know it. I read somewhere it will be something likle “community confinement’. What that exactly means and how it relates to Stallworth I don’t know .
What happened with Leonard Little? That was a similar situation, so may give us some idea.
Leonard Little killed a woman with his SUV driving drunk. He got no time at all.
A couple years later he got caught drunk driving again. This was maybe 3 or 4 years ago he got caught the second time.
And as I remember Little got no suspension, i could be wrong on that.
Little was before the crackdown by the NFL. Stallworth will not get 8 games. I think he will get at least 12 games and possibly the entire season.
As to everyone agreed on 30 days, public opinion is firmly in the corner that the sentence was not long enough. The Prosecutor, judge and attorney general are getting hammered for preferential treatment. I happen to agree. He should have gotten at least two years of jail time. Only a corrupt judicial system could give him 30 days.
Yeah, I remember that. Outrageous. I guess it was before the NFL’s crackdown on such things, so it probably doesn’t tell us anything.
Re: Corey’s original question, that’s a “no thanks” from me.
Yeah, little was in the Tagliabue years. One angle on Stallworth, someone on the radio raised the issue of the possibility that being drunk was partially incidental in the accident as the guy was allegedly jaywalking. This may have also tempered the sentence along with some other things. I haven’t been on this conversation so i don’t know if you guys talked about that.
Okay, so Fonzie touched on that a little bit.
I don’t think he’s anything more than a number 3. I don’t think our problem at receiver is a #3, it’s more like a true #1. We have depth at #3.
Kewpie for Fonzie for not getting swept up in labels and presenting the facts and letting them dictate his opinion.
I think all of us who drive hope never to confront someone jumping out in front of our vehicle especially those times we are in a hurry and trying to make time.
Yes the drinking is unforgivable. But how many here will admit to doing it once or more?
Seems to me there is a difference between the murderers who did in Sean Taylor and Stallworth IMHO.
harlan
Harlan:
As the DA said:……. It is more about character and facts than anything else and the Judge and Reyes family also agreed.
Stallworth was wrong, it was a mistake, it was an ACCIDENT. Stalworth showed remorse and more important is making as much restitution as he possibly can.
One difference is that Stallworth’s Money has allowed him to make some restitution to Reyes family and I’m sure this was taken into consideration by all involved.
It sounds cold and crude, and unfair, but just as Stallworth changed that family in a negative way, he was also able to change that family in a positive way. Which is a hell of a lot most of us could have done in the same situation.
This is restitution,the type most of the 18,000/ year alcohol related deaths never received last year.
It WAS an accident. Reyes family wants to move on from this, Stallworth and his family wants to move on, they both will live with this tragedy the rest of their lives. Lets all move on from this. I hope Goodell does not asume the role of Judge AND executioner.
This is a crazy time of year. We are all trying to examine the team before any true evidence is actually availabe. For instance you see a lot of energy focused on a ‘true #1 receiver’. Based on most of the definitions I have heard I would argue there are only about 6 in the league.
With that said and since we all have time to kill. I vote against any reciever charged or convicted with weapons offenses, violence against women (wives, girlfriends and mothers included) or statutory rape. I would also be against any more 1 and done plans.
Since this seems to rule out almost all available receivers, lets go with what we got. Or maybe Matt Jones. A little cocaine and drinking during a round of golf is pedestrian in comparison.
ramble914:
Questiion: If you were Reyes family, would you refuse the money settlement and have Stallworth serve the mandatory 4-5 year jail time?
Benny, I like your kind of thinking. I think if there’s anybody that fits, that can take an incentive laden contract, still has potential to be a star, can grow with the team, and whose offenses are very easily forgivable, it’s Matt Jones.
Even if there wasn’t all of this other stuff going on with him – he’s not that good. when you factor in the “distraction” and possible suspension aspects, this would just be a bad idea.
Can Fonzie get two kewpies in response to the same article? He later wrote, ” hope Goodell does not asume the role of Judge AND executioner.”
Does anyone besides me think that Goodell is overplaying a bad hand? I want to watch some football. I have enough trouble disciplining my own kids. Goodell wants to discipline all the players in the league for things having nothing to do with their on field antics.
I am beginning to wonder if this is just a slippery slope destined to promote unfairness, arbitrariness, and stupidity.
Oh, but Goodell is the owners’ puppet so stupidity is probably to be expected.
harlan
NO. this guy deserves to be in jail and bought his way out of long jail time. he doesn’t deserve to earn any money to get his life back in order. let him work construction like vick.
On ESPN radio yesterday a source said that the blood test not only showed alcohol but marijuana in his system after he killed the construction worker with his Bentley. He should be in jail for at least 7 years , but money talks.
If the construction worker had been drunk smoking a fatty and just ran over a WR in the NFL there would be a hammer of justice dropped down on him.
That this is not getting the airplay that Vick’s dog case did is a joke. The media should be equally blamed with the judicial system in Florida for giving the story a pass. Remember Florida Judicial system named Bush president , so you know they can screw up anything.
I am ashamed that Little and Stallworth both played at the University of Tennessee. I hope that the families of the slain woman by Little and the slain man by Stallworth somehow find peace because they did not find justice.
Harlan:
I wonder why it is so dificult for people to understand that facts, character, remorse, and RESTITUTION to the victim or their family goes a long, long way towards the verdict and senencing of any and ALL crimes. I would like for anyone with an opinion on this case honestly answer the question I posed, which ramble914 has avoided:
ramble914:
Questiion: If you were Reyes family, would you refuse the money settlement and have Stallworth serve the mandatory 4-5 year jail time?
And you are very right, Goodell was completely swept up in the Vick affair and he must be carefull with Stallworth. I,m pretty sure that he is well represented and they, along with the players asociation, will not only challange Goodell but the NFL in court. Football is at it’s highest popularity EVER and does not need negative PR to dampen it !!
I have to disagree with the article specifically. They said his sentenced was reduced because of his outstanding character, willingness to cooperate, and remorse for killing this man. Hmmm…do we give him a medal for this too??!?? I mean these are things that a person SHOULD do. He doesn’t deserve extra credit for not fleeing the scene and not answering cops questions. And why should he show remorse?? Because he just killed a man!
And yes I know the family wanted it over with, but it’s not just about the family who are judging. It is the “people” because we have to decide if it’s safe to allow the defendant back into society. That is alot more ‘preachy’, but you get my point.
Either way, it’s shame the justice system failed and money won out.
Harlan,
If we pulled most of this stuff on our jobs we would be canned with the swiftness. Why should athletes be any different? Also, like it or not, these guys are role models for our kids, and, to a lesser extent, for us.
Harlan:
And one more thing. It’s time for some to come back down to earth, back among us humans, and realize that we all make mistakes and this was, at the end of the day, a tragic ACCIDENT and Goodell can’t be stupid enough to over play his hand.
Marijuana can stay in your system for 4-6 weeks. I don’t think Stallworth was smoking a doobie at the time.
The rest of the stuff only two people know what really happened and one of them is dead.
As for Vick, it is apples and oranges. One person killed and tortured dogs intentionally. The other ran someone over accidentally.
In addition Stallworth did something to make the family of his victim whole.
I don’t remember hearing anything about Vick giving people money after stealing and mutilating their family pets.
That’s right, underground dog fighters don’t go to Petsmart and pick up a dozen puppies every couple weeks. They go and steal your dog.
Ever wonder what happened to that dog that mysteriously disappeared from your backyard? Michael Vick or someone like him stole your dog and then tortured them to death.
I’m not making any judgments on Stallworth’s punishment,if he gets banned for life from the NFL, it wouldn’t bother me. But Vick was doing something completely different and there shouldn’t be any comparison.
If in the same situation and I lost my family member , I would forego the settlement and ask for the death penalty. That is what I would want if that was my spouse or parent or child.
Fonzie there is my gut answer.
James in TN:
I respect your answer but that was not my question.
The mandatory jail time is 5 yrs minimun with time accrued discounted ie could be 4 years. We are not talking about the death sentence. Would you, any of you with an opinion on this, refuse the $$$$ in exchange for the 4-5 year jail sentence for Stallworth?
Phil T:
Do you know if Stallworth would have ben found guilty of vehicular homicide if he had NOT been drinking. Would the accident never had happened if he had NOT been drinking?
You make him sound guilty of MURDER. Maybe he is ” not safe to allow back into society?” Geezz !!
Fonzie,
You can’t really say how you would respond in a situation like that unless you experienced it. However I can speculate as to how I might feel. Ideally I want to see him become as much of a detterent to drunk driving as possible. Therefore I wouldn’t really want Stallworth to do any time. I would milk him for everything I could get financially. And I would want to see him legally obligated to engage in funding and actions to help prevent drunk driving.
If that was out of the realm of possibility than I want him to the some serious time, like at least 10 years. Because then he serves as a public example.
But speaking specifically to your question, the greatest public example that could be made of him is to serve the time. And serving 4 years would certainly mean the end of his career and shining example of how you can lose it all when you take people’s life for granted. So I would want to honor my relative by having him do the time and I’ll get the money in the civil suit.
igs:
It seems like most people have an opinion whether they have experienced it or not and your speculation came very close to the actual sentence. Except he is doing time.
On the $$$$ settlement aren’t you basically saying that you want your cake and eat it too. You really can’t have it both ways, can you?
Fonzie, actually you can. A civil suit is completely separate from a criminal one. So I could have my cake and eat it to, in the sense that he could get a full sentence, lose his career, (thus fore setting the aforementioned example) and still pay whatever I can win in court. So technically, you really don’t have to choose between the two.
Like I said, the only purpose that he can serve in jail is to be an example of how people need to start taking driving drunk more seriously. The ideal is for him to be able to do some kind of positive work toward fighting drunk driving.
igs:
Civil court has always been been a venue available to the victim a crime to obtain restitution in liue of or after a conviction of a criminal act. Anyone that has followed the OJ Simpson case must be full aware of the Goldman family attempt (even to this day) at squeezing every last dime out of OJ Simpson (which I fully agree with)
However you have circumvented my question completely. Knowing that the Reyes family accepted $$$$$$ as part of restitution and thereby agreeing NOT to file civil suit to SETTLE this case, please stay on point, the question is:
If you were the Reyes family would you forfeit the $$$$$ so that Stallworth serves 4-5 years of Jail time?
Your answer must be one, take the $$$$$ , or the other, give him 4-5 years jail time. NOT BOTH.
Fonzie,
As far as I know the two courts are completely independent of each other. Which is why the Goldman’s were able to sue the Juice even though he had not been found guilty. I mean, I’m not a legal expert, but can you show me a definition that says “in lieu” of a conviction?
I thought I did answer your question directly:
“But speaking specifically to your question, the greatest public example that could be made of him is to serve the time. And serving 4 years would certainly mean the end of his career and shining example of how you can lose it all when you take people’s life for granted. So I would want to honor my relative by having him do the time and I’ll get the money in the civil suit.”
However, if you need me to answer specifically to the perimeters that you are imposing:
Speaking specifically to your question, the greatest public example that could be made of him is to serve the time. And serving 4-5 years would certainly mean the end of his career and a shining example of how you can lose it all when you take people’s life for granted. So I would want to honor my relative by having him do the time. Again, the point is how can sue Stallworth as a deterrent to people driving drunk.
That’s not to say that the Reyes family did anything wrong. They’re in that situation and I’m only speculating as to what I might do. At the end of the day they did what they felt was right and that’s fine by me.
Also, my point with the civil court is to say, as far as I know, that one doesn’t necessarily have to choose between the money and the time. Technically I could never talk to the guy, have him do the maximum sentence, and still go after his finances. So I think the Reyes family did a lot for Stallworth out of the kindness of their hearts and, perhaps, a desire to get the episode of their lives closed asap.
igs:
They’re NOT mually exclusive. You always have the right to sue for damages in civil court. To win , and how much, is a different matter and a different case. I’m not a lawyer but I can tell you from personal experience nothing is guarenteed in the civil suit. Look at Golmans case Vs. OJ. I don’t think they have gotten 1/4 of what they thought they would get, specially with Florida Laws.
The Reyes family ,I am sure, were very well informed by all involved and all investigation and accepted what they felt, and advised, was the best pssible way to settle this. I’m sure they were very well compensated (for lack of a better word) by Stallworth and they waved the right to civil court.
How can anyone, with a comon sense of decency, infer the Reyes family or the DA for that matter, were bought by Stallworths $$$$$. It would have been absurd for the Reyes not to have thought of their familys future, specially now without their father to share their burden, to forgo an absolute guarantee in order to make an “example” by having Stallwoth serve 4-5 years in jail or even worse POSSIBLY less, much less jailt time !!!
I would like to know anyone in Reyes position that would NOT have taken the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !!!!!!
Fonzie,
Could you please quote the post where I inferred that the Reyes family was bought? Because that certainly wasn’t my intention. This is the only place where I implied what the Reyes’ might have been thinking:
“So I think the Reyes family did a lot for Stallworth out of the kindness of their hearts and, perhaps, a desire to get the episode of their lives closed asap.”
Like I said a couple of times. It’s impossible to know what one would do in that situation so what we’re doing here is speculation. And I’m speculating based on my own biases as you are also.
Regardless of what is or isn’t guaranteed, the fact remains that you don’t have to choose between jail time and getting compensated.
There are two items here, running through this thread:
1) in answer to the original question, Corey: No. I do not want Stallworth on the Jets. Ever.
2) the legal issues. this breaks down into many sub-issues.
One, the coverage of this story from a legal perspective has been close to non-existent. I have only seen hyperbolic sensationalism from the sports media, which is singularly and totally unqualified to cover such a story (Sorry, Bassett, but this belongs to the city, crime or legal desks, with maybe a sidebar on the sports pages). So, I for one, will offer no opinion on what actually transpired in Florida in that courthouse (other than the quick snark I left on an earlier post which I now regret).
The next sub-issue is the apparent deal made with the family to bring “closure” to “protect” the victim’s 15-yr.-old daughter. That’s an immediate red flag. I have seen too much malfeasance in my life, perpetrated by adults, shielded by “protecting the child.” My question here would be: What will that young woman want in-hand when she is in her twenties or in her forties, looks back upon the loss of her father, and is now in a position to make up her own mind — what’s left of some cash her family got years ago, or the solace from knowing that “justice” had somehow been done? It appears the daughter may be a pawn — and the worst victim — in this whole proceeding.
Another factor not being reported, but which quickly comes to mind, is the family’s legal team and their advice to the family. Could it be that their legal advice was that this money deal was the best they would get? Did they think that the family would lose in court, due to evidence problems, a corrupt system, or money/celebrity justice or any of a hundred other legal roadblocks? Did they see a greater payday for the firm if they took this settlement? T’were me, I would hope I’d fire my lawyer and try as many others as I had to, either to find one who’d protect ME in this case, or to find out that every lawyer in this jurisdiction agrees that, yes in THIS scenario, this is the BEST I’m going to get out of it, so take it and run.
Lastly, to Fonzie’s supremely silly challenge:
I see no one else is answering Fonzie’s challenge directly –
“I would like to know anyone in Reyes position that would NOT have taken the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !!!!!!” — so I will.
First, I apologize for saying this, Fonzie, but this is a truly ludicrous set up you’ve posted here. Small, petty and coarse. But to humor your concept, let me answer your challenge:
No, I would NOT have taken the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, as you so deftly put it. My family means more to me than that. I have only a brother left. What if he were to be run down by “you” — someone with public celebrity (and/or money) of some type? Who was driving impaired in some way? Meaning that the event may have been avoidable in some way? What would I do? My answer to you, sir, is that my brother has no monetary value (nor do any of the rest of us, really). But his life has incalculable value to the world he inhabits. His life cannot be reduced to your ripping a number of very large bills off that gigantic wad in your pocket. I do not trade my brother’s life for a chance to pay off some bills, or take a vacation or buy some oh-so-cool new toys for the house. You take my brother, I take from you in equally large measure as the law of the land dictates. And I would push forever to see that it does dictate. Because my brother is forever.
Then, years from today, when my heart breaks open yet again upon missing my brother, I would sit with the solace that you ended up just as great a victim in that event — so that I do not forever bear an uneven burden of this tragedy and loss, while you move on to re-establish your life of celebrity and advantage. So that justice, at least, was served. And THAT, my friend, is what allows the healing process to advance.
Mike:
First, thank you for having the will and conviction to anwer my question point blanc.
However your nobleness and elequence does not relate to the real world, if only from my simple perspective. Knowing a very limited amount of facts, I assume the Reyes family considered all the infomation and advice available to them and decided that it was in the best interest of the family as a whole, to accept the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ setlement as PART of restitution.
To insinuate that there is possible “malfeasance perpetrated by the family”" in this settlement is an assumption on you part that is not only arrogant but downright misleading.
Saying that, it appears from the facts that the Reyes are a common hard working family that needs all the effort possible from everyone within to support themselves. In other words, MR Reyes, a contruction worker on the night shift, was running to catch a bus tells me that this family must work hard to meet their DAILY needs.
So tell me again, Sir, how you would deprive your family of the only chance they may EVER have of living a common life independent of having to possibly depend on others for support, or how they intend to pay for school if their daughter decides to become a professional.
Tell me again, how you will deny your family this so that ten years from today you may honor your brother by sending a man to jail for 4-5 years for an accident.
Sorry Mike and I hope your profession is as a writer and not in the social field..
miketaliaferro—igs:
If you guys want an objective, not a blowhard view that you get from most media and fans, sensitive to the facts, report check this site:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d810ef405&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Fonzie,
It’s not an issue of what I would do in that spot; I’ve just explained what I think I would most likely do if shoved into the horrible string of events the Reyes family faced.
The wording in your reply shows clearly what you would do, sir, what your choice would be. I cannot fault you for that. It is the most intensely intimate decision each of us would be forced to confront. You clearly have made your decision for you and your family for that possible situation. Fine.
This is the only real division between your point and mine:
You state, “Knowing a very limited amount of facts, I assume the Reyes family considered all the information and advice available to them and decided that it was in the best interest of the family as a whole, to accept the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ settlement as PART of restitution.”
I cannot make those same level of assumptions because I also know a limited amount of facts here.
There is just no way for either of us to know what went on within those deliberations and all the issues that were on the table. My only disagreement with your position is the extreme amount of assumption you need to come to it. I refuse to leap to fact from conjecture.
Unfortunately, my life experiences have taught me each of the questions I raised in my earlier post. It’s not about the answers (I have none); it’s about the questions (thankfully, I have plenty).
Just as with any case before the law (and I’ve been on a half dozen juries over the years and involved with a number of legal matters), ANY of the following could possibly be afoot:
Stallworth is an Angel/Devil/Just a Victim here.
The Reyes family could be Angels/Devils/Just Victims here.
The Reyes’ lawyers could be Angels/Devils/Just doing their best here.
The Florida courts could be Angels/Devils/Just doing their best here.
Any of these could be the truth. From the truth, justice springs.
But for now, we have no solidly reported facts (that I have seen) outside of the sports pages or quick blurbs on CNN/FOX upon which to begin to determine what exactly happened either on that street or in those negotiations between the defense and the prosecution on which to base a determination. And since this will be a negotiated settlement, we can assume that the case will be locked and we will never know what transpired in those rooms.
It’s the job of good reporting to dig down into all of these possibilities to help the community learn which of the scenarios here are correct.
I admire your passion in this, my friend, but I just do not see the factual basis that’s necessary to support it.
Thanks for sending along the NFL.com link, Fonzie.
I read it. It’s mostly a rear-covering piece for the NFL as it stands now, I’m afraid.
They do mention a couple of issues arising from the Miami Herald, and I, for one, will go back and search this case in the Herald before I believe anything I read in NFL.com, which has a clear stake in all this.
If, in fact, Reyes dashed across a high-traffic street (I’ve seen guys killed doing just that on Broadway and Queens Blvd., yes) then that is a horrible, tragic accident caused by poor judgment, and a mandatory manslaughter charge might be negotiated downwards. But the fact that it’s a DUI manslaughter charge means we may never know how much more Stallworth may have been able to react if he’d had his wits about him at that moment. And that fact changes everything in the case and raises the stakes immensely. This is why the issues within those negotiation sessions become so important.
Thanks for sending the link along, though.
I already knew of the reports that Reyes stepped into the street illegaly. Pedestrian always has the right of way. And if Stallworth were not drunk and high he may have been able to decelerate enough to save that man’s life. He’s still accountable.
Fonzie, you just seem to be looking for a particular answer. ANd noone can really give you one. It’s all speculation.
Mike:
A very interesting point just now mentioned in this article by Stallworht ’s atty. was that Goodell must not make an example of his client or else “the commissioner and the NFL” has a problem.
I mentioned in one of my comments a few days ago that I felt Stallworth was well represented and that Goodell can not be stupid enough to overplay his hand and assume the role of Judge and Executioner.
I have a feeling if he does, fireworks afe going to fly !!!!
If that happens, everyone will know the facts and I’m convinced Stallworth was not the murderer that every one is saying and that the Reyes family was fortunante in dealing with someone like Stallworth. They made the absolutely right decision in accepting full RESTITUTION (settlement) allowing everyone to put this horrible ACCIDENT behind.
igs:
Here is the problem that I have:
I have read everywhere, that most everyone, media or fans, called Stallworth a murderer that “bought” a disgraceful sentence by a corrupt legal system only because he was a “rich, famous” person”. Some went as far as asking for a life sentence. So, in order to hear those arguments I asked a very simple, direct question asking for simple and direct answer.
Everyone had an opinion but never in the esence of my question which was to place oneself in relationship to Reyes family ( or your own) and decide:
IS 4-5 YEARS JAIL TIME FOR STALLWORTH MORE IMPORTANT THAN FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR MY FAMILY?
For the life of me I really dont see why it’s so difficult to understand.