Burress Sentence Puts Focus Back on Stallworth Sentence

Yesterday, New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress accepted a plea bargain with a two-year prison sentence for accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub. Just last month, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth was released from a Miami jail after serving 24 days for DUI manslaughter.

As the news of Burress' sentence came down, the online world immediately questioned how one man who shot himself could get a sentence so much more harsh than a man who actually killed another human.

While prosecutors and judges must always evaluate a number of factors when making plea bargains and determining sentencing for offenders, where does justice play a part? And perhaps most importantly, as both men serve as high-profile role models for future generations, what message are really sending to kids?

Another NFL Star Driving While Drunk

Seattle Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt was arrested Saturday night in Black Diamond for suspicion of drunk driving. Schmitt clearly learned nothing from the saga of Donte Stallworth.

Did Star Athlete Get Special Treatment?

Football player Donte Stallworth serves 30 days in jail for killing a man driving drunk.

Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD National President, explains MADD’s concern about a 30-day sentence for DUI manslaughter.
Watch the video and you decide

Donte Stallworth Charged with DUI Manslaughter in Fatal Crash

"Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk in Miami."

Stallworth’s blood alcohol content was .126, above the legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Read the complete story on MSNBC.

In 2007, nearly 13,000 people were killed by drunk drivers with a BAC of .08 or above. Take a stand against drunk driving. Join MADD in the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.