Stallworth Released From Jail

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has been released from a Miami jail after serving 24 days of his DUI manslaughter case.

His attorney, Christopher Lyons, says Stallworth was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center early Friday. Lyons says Stallworth is at home and plans to "fulfill his obligations under the plea agreement and spend time with his family."

The 28-year-old Stallworth served 24 of the 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter.

Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. He signed a signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year, finishing with 17 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Here's how the story broke on WSVN-TV

Stallworth Didn't "Feel" Drunk Before Crash

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth ((pictured, thanks WSVN-TV)) told police he drank up to four shots of premium tequila while partying with friends at a Miami Beach club but did not feel drunk in the hours before he struck and killed a pedestrian with his car.

In a recorded interview with police, Stallworth said he met fellow Browns receiver Braylon Edwards and others at a hotel sometime after 2 a.m. on March 14. Stallworth said he drank some tequila from Edwards' table and later bought some shots himself.

"Three, four at the most," Stallworth said. "I wasn't really counting."

When asked if he was intoxicated, Stallworth said: "No, sir."

Lab tests later showed Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126, above Florida's .08 limit.

Stallworth, 28, is serving a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter in the death of 59-year-old Mario Reyes. Stallworth also reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Reyes' family, which factored into his relatively light sentence.

The Stallworth interview with Miami Beach police and other evidence was released Tuesday by prosecutors under a public records request by The Associated Press.

Stallworth said he left the club sometime after 4 a.m., went to his Miami condominium for a nap and then decided to go out for breakfast in his 2005 Bentley. That's when he encountered Reyes, who was leaving his job as a crane operator, crossing a busy road around 7:15 a.m.

"I seen him in the street and I flashed my lights at him to let him at least know I was coming. I tried to swerve over as much as I could," Stallworth said.

Later, his voice falling almost to a whisper, Stallworth said, "If he would have completely stopped and not kept going ... don't know why he kept going. I don't know. I should have just stayed home."

Edwards, 26, said he and Stallworth had drinks earlier in the day by the pool at the hotel before meeting at the nightclub. A receipt shows that Edwards spent $3,443 that night at the club -- including $1,500 on Perrier-Jouet Rose champagne and $695 on Grey Goose vodka -- and he said Stallworth didn't seem impaired when they parted ways early the morning of the crash. Edwards had a room at the hotel.

"We're friends. If he were anything outside himself, I would have told him to stay here. He looked OK. He looked fine," Edwards said in a recorded statement.

Stallworth's credit card receipts shows he bought a $375 bottle of Patron Silver that he sent to Edwards' table, five shots of the tequila for $90, a water and a Red Bull energy drink. Stallworth said some of the shots were for female friends.

The toxicology analysis also confirms reports that Stallworth tested positive for marijuana in addition to alcohol. Neither Stallworth nor Edwards mentioned any use of marijuana.

Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell following the incident. He signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year, finishing with 17 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown. The Tennessee college star has also played in the NFL for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Stallworth 911 Call Released

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth ((pictured, thanks WSVN-TV)) said on a 911 call that the man he struck and killed while driving drunk came out of nowhere.

Stallworth is serving a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter in the March 14 death of 59-year-old Mario Reyes. Stallworth also has two years' house arrest after his release from jail and is suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

On the 911 call released Monday, Stallworth describes how the victim "just ran in front of my car." Police have said Reyes was not in a crosswalk and was rushing to catch a bus when he was hit.

Stallworth tells the 911 operator, "You got to send an ambulance right now, man."

Stallworth also reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Reyes' family.

Here's the 911 call...

Stallworth Pleads Guilty

((HT: WSVN-TV))

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth took full responsibility for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida and began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter.

Stallworth also reached a confidential financial settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit from the family of 59-year-old Mario Reyes, according to Stallworth attorney Christopher Lyons. Reyes was struck and killed March 14 by Stallworth, who was driving his black 2005 Bentley after a night drinking at a swanky hotel bar.

Stallworth, 28, told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy that he hopes to get involved in drunken driving education programs.

"I accept full responsibility for this horrible tragedy," said Stallworth, who was accompanied at the hearing by his parents, siblings and other supporters. "I will bear this burden for the rest of my life."

Stallworth faced 15 years in prison. After his release from jail, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation.

The NFL has said it will review the matter for possible disciplinary action. Lyons said the plea agreement will allow Stallworth to resume his football career.

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

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle cited Stallworth's lack of previous criminal record, cooperation with police 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.

None of the Reyes family attended the hearing. Their attorney, Rodolfo Suarez, read a statement saying the family wants to "bring closure to this emotional and tragic event." Suarez was not immediately available to comment after the hearing.

After a night drinking at a bar in Miami Beach's Fountainebleau hotel, police said Stallworth hit Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m. Stallworth told police he flashed his lights in an attempt to warn Reyes, who was not in a crosswalk when he was struck.

Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126 after the crash, well above Florida's .08 limit. Stallworth stopped after the crash and immediately told officers he had hit Reyes. Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. The California native and University of Tennessee college star has also played in the NFL for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

The night before the crash, Stallworth earned a $4.5 million roster bonus from the Browns.

David Cornwell, a Stallworth attorney handling the NFL situation, said he has kept top league officials apprised of the case.

"Whenever it is appropriate to do so, we are prepared to discuss the circumstances under which Donte' will resume his career," Cornwell said.

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