Celebrity DWI News

Donte Stallworth had about 4 tequilla shots before killing pedestrian

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Miami, FL

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth says he had about four shots of tequila but did not feel drunk in the hours before he struck and killed a pedestrian in Miami with his car.

In a recorded police interview, Stallworth said he met fellow Browns player Braylon Edwards and other friends at a Miami Beach club. Stallworth said he drank the tequila, went to his Miami condo for a nap and was headed out for breakfast when he struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes.

Lab tests showed Stallworth's blood-alcohol level was .126, above Florida's .08 legal limit. Stallworth said he didn't feel impaired and Edwards said his friend seemed fine.

Stallworth is serving a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter.

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Three's Company star Joyce DeWitt arrested for drunk driving

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Joyce DeWitt, who starred in the ’70s show “Three’s Company,” was arrested July Fourth in Southern California and cited for drunken driving. Police say DeWitt, who played the character Janet Wood on the popular show, was pulled over Saturday afternoon after she drove past a barricade near a park in El Segundo. Sgt. Danny Kim said an officer arrested the 60-year-old DeWitt after she exhibited signs of drinking and he gave her field sobriety tests. Kim said DeWitt was booked in El Segundo, cited and released on her own recognizance.

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Judge won't release Donte Stallworth DUI crash video

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:31:00 +0000

Miami, FL

A judge in Miami is refusing to publicly release surveillance video of the drunk-driving crash in which Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian.

Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy ruled Thursday the video would violate the privacy of the family of victim Mario Reyes. The family and state prosecutors asked that the video not be released despite Florida's strong public records laws.

Stallworth, a former New Orleans Saints player, is serving a 30-day jail sentence for DUI manslaughter in the March 14 crash. Tests showed Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of 0.126, well above Florida's legal limit.

The National Football League suspended Stallworth indefinitely.

Stallworth reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the Reyes family.

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80's wrestling star "Rowdy" Roddy Piper arrested for drunken driving

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:17:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Eighties wrestling star "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is accused of getting a little rowdy behind the wheel, as the 55-year-old wrestling star was arrested by Los Angeles police Thursday at 1 AM on misdemeanor DUI
charges.

Piper, whose real name is Roderick Toombs, is being held on $5,000 bail at a jail in the Hollywood division.

Piper, who cut his teeth wrestling in the Los Angeles territory in the early 70s, played the villain to heroic Hulk Hogan during the 80s wrestling boom.

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Florida judge asked to release Donte Stallworth DUI crash video

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:11:00 +0000

Miami, FL

A judge in Miami is being asked to publicly release surveillance video of the drunk-driving crash in which Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian.

The family of victim Mario Reyes doesn't want the video released to news outlets. Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy set a hearing Tuesday on the issue.

Stallworth is serving a 30-day jail sentence for DUI manslaughter in the March 14 crash. Tests showed Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of 0.126, well above Florida's legal limit. Police said he had spent the night drinking at a swank Miami Beach nightclub.

The National Football League suspended Stallworth indefinitely.

Stallworth reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the Reyes family

Missouri DWI Defense Attorneys

Report: NFL star Donte' Stallworth tested positive for marijuana after DUI crash

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Miami, FL

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth not only had a high blood alcohol level after he fatally hit a pedestrian on the MacArthur Causeway in March, he also tested positive for marijuana use, law enforcement sources tell The Miami Herald.

Stallworth, 28, is serving one month in jail after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter last month.

Miami-Dade prosecutors say his blood alcohol level was .126, well above the legal limit, when his Bentley hit and killed Mario Reyes, 59, on the morning of March 14.

Stallworth's test results, which have not been released, showed traces of marijuana, according to sources with knowledge of the results.

Stallworth's attorney, Christopher Lyons, could not be reached Tuesday.

Missouri DWI Defense Lawyers

L.A. Dodgers pitcher Ronald Balisario arrested for suspected drunk driving (DUI)

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Authorities say Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Ronald Belisario has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

California Highway Patrol officer Francisco Villalobos says Belisario was pulled over just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday in Pasadena after CHP officers observed him talking on his cell phone. Villalobos says officers then suspected Belisario had been drinking and placed him under arrest.

He was taken to the Pasadena Police Department and later released on unspecified bail. He reported to Dodger Stadium as usual Saturday afternoon for the team's game against Seattle.

"Whenever a member of your organization is said to be in violation of the law, it is disappointing," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "We will provide any help we can."

Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch said the team is still trying to confirm the facts.

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Ex Warrant singer Jani Lane arrested for DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Jani Lane, former lead singer for the rock band Warrant, has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of driving under the influence, police said.
TMZ reported the 45-year-old recording artist was arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI after he allegedly hit a parked car with his vehicle in the Woodland Hills neighborhood Wednesday night.

Police told the entertainment news Web site that Lane showed signs he was intoxicated when they arrived at the scene of the collision.

The singer is being held by police until he posts $30,000 bail, TMZ said.

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Donte Stallworth pleads guilty to DUI manslaughter, sentenced to 30 days in jail

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Miami, FL

Cleveland Browns player Donte Stallworth has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter charges as part of a plea agreement.

Stallworth was charged with DUI manslaughter after police said he hit and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes with his Bentley on the MacArthur Causeway on March 14.

Stallworth, 28, was surrounded by his parents and other family members as he walked into the courtroom to make his plea Thursday. Stallworth read a statement to the judge, expressing remorse and condolences to the victim's family while also acknowledging that he is taking full responsibility for his actions.

"I'll continue to bear this burden the rest of my life," Stallworth said. "Though I can't bring back Mr. Reyes or ease his family's pain, I can and will honor his memory."

In addition to the 30 days in the Miami-Dade County Jail, Stallworth was sentenced to eight years of reporting probation, two years of community control -- which is essentially house arrest -- and a lifetime suspension of his driver's license. During the eight years of probation, Stallworth will undergo numerous drug and alcohol tests.

Also, Stallworth must donate $2,500 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, repay the Miami Beach and Miami-Dade police for the investigation and perform 1,000 hours of community service.

Stallworth originally faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Reyes' family was not in the courtroom Tuesday for the plea deal arrangement but issued a statement to be read aloud.

"We fully endorse and consent to the plea agreement," wrote the mother of Reyes' surviving 15-year-old daughter. "It is the best interest to resolve the case this way because of the toll it's taken on our family."

"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," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said.

Prosecutors acknowledged that Stallworth's character and cooperation in the case led to the plea deal.

Willie Fajardo, a member of Reyes' family, had said previously that Reyes worked as an overnight crane operator and had just finished an overnight shift at the port when he was hit. Fajardo said Reyes was trying to cross the causeway to reach his bus stop.

Police said Stallworth was headed east when he hit Reyes. The victim was near a crosswalk, but at the time, police said it was not clear if he was crossing legally.

Police said Stallworth's blood-alcohol level was at 0.126 after the crash. Florida's limit is 0.08.

Even then, all involved said Stallworth did the right thing after the crash.

"He reported it immediately to 911, remained at the scene and cooperated fully," said Stallworth's attorney, Christopher Lyons.

Stallworth also recently reached a financial settlement with Reyes' family, although the details of the settlement have not been made public.

DWI Lawyers - St. Louis, MO

Famed motorcycle builder Billy Lane takes plea deal on DUI vehicular manslaughter charge

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:52:00 +0000

Brevard County, MO

Celebrity motorcycle builder Billy Lane took a plea deal in Brevard County Tuesday morning that could land him in prison for nine years.

Lane is accused of killing a 56-year-old Brevard County man in a head-on crash on A-1-A on Labor Day in 2006. Police said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

Billy Lane's lawyer is hoping to keep him out of prison with the plea deal. Prosecutors dropped the DUI charge in exchange for the no contest plea to vehicular homicide.

"How do you plea, sir?" asked a judge.

"No contest. Your honor," replied Lane.

The plea agreement could keep the famed motorcycle builder off the streets.

Under the plea deal, prosecutors dropped the DUI manslaughter charge and agreed to cap the potential prison sentence at a little more than 9 years.

"You wish to waive these rights and accept this plea?" asked the judge.

"Yes, your honor," answered Lane.

Lane was accused of driving drunk down highway A-1A and crossing over a double yellow line to pass three cars then crashing head-on into 56-year-old Gerald Morelock.

Morelock, who was on his motorcycle, was no match for Lane's Dodge pick-up. The Sebastian Inlet Park Ranger was killed.

Investigators say Lane's blood-alcohol was over twice the legal limit, but his defense attorney was preparing to fight that if the case went to trial.

"We believe the blood sample as mishandled and the blood testing done in this case was not scientifically reliable," said Defense Attorney Greg Eisenmenger.

Prosecutors disagreed, but said Lane faced 15 years in prison whether they pursued the DUI charge or vehicular homicide. With the plea deal they are assured a conviction, a possible prison sentence, alcohol provisions and driving restrictions.

"I think it's a substantial punishment, yes," said prosecutor Thom Brown.

Lane's attorney said despite the plea deal, he is going to ask the judge not to send him to prison but give him house arrest or probation at his sentencing August 14.

Lori Petty charged with misdemeanor DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Lori Petty was charged Friday with two misdemeanor drunken driving counts stemming from her arrest last week in Venice, where the actress allegedly hit a skateboarder with her car.

Petty is scheduled to be arraigned June 25 at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles on one misdemeanor count each of DUI with injury and DUI with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or higher, according to Frank Mateljan of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.

She also is accused of an infraction of driving without proof of insurance, according to Mateljan.

The 45-year-old actress was arrested about 10 p.m. May 30 by the Los Angeles Police Department's West Traffic Division and released just before 7 the following morning after posting $100,00 bail.

Petty allegedly hit the skateboarder with her car about 9:30 p.m. that night. The skateboarder was treated at the scene, according to police spokesman Bruce Borihanh.

Petty is best known for her role as Keanu Reeves' surfer girlfriend in the 1991 movie "Point Break" and her co-starring role in the 1992 movie "A League of Their Own."

She also starred in "Tank Girl" in 1995 and "The Glass Shield" a 1995 police corruption movie, in which she played a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.

Browns' Stallworth pleads not guilty to DUI manslaughter charges

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:39:00 +0000

Miami, FL

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth is pleading not guilty to DUI manslaughter charges stemming from a fatal Miami car crash in which a pedestrian died.

The plea was entered at a brief court hearing Thursday by defence lawyer Christopher Lyons. The 28-year-old Stallworth did not appear in court. A trial date has not been set.

Stallworth faces up to 15 years if convicted. Police say Stallworth was driving drunk after a night on the town when he struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes on a Miami Beach causeway.

Stallworth is free on $200,000 bail and is required to abstain from alcohol, not drive and observe a curfew.

Before Cleveland, he played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans in the NFL and in college for Tennessee.

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'League of Their Own' actress Lori Petty arrested on suspicion of felony DUI after hitting skateboarder

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:22:00 +0000

Van Nuys, CA

Actress Lori Petty was booked into the Van Nuys jail early this morning on suspicion of a felony drunk driving, officials said.

Petty, 45, was driving in Venice about 9:30 p.m. Saturday when she struck a young man on a skateboard, Los Angeles Police Officer Bruce Borihanh said.

“The skateboarder was treated on the scene and released,” he said.

The actress was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked four hours later.

Petty, who is known for her roles in “Point Break,” “Tank Girl” and “A League of Their Own,” was released on $100,000 bail.

County jail puts tracking device on actor Gary Collins after DUI release

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Santa Barbara, CA

Actor Gary Ennis Collins arrived at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail about 6:20 a.m. Wednesday to have an electronic monitoring device placed on his ankle.

The GPS tracking device will be used to monitor Collins as he serves a 120-day sentence at home for a DUI conviction resulting from a Jan. 31 traffic stop in Summerland.

If Collins abides by all of the rules, he will receive credit and be released from the program in 72 days, on Aug. 6.

During his sentence, Collins will be allowed to leave his home to go to work and to leave home for four hours per week to run errands.

Collins is known for his roles in the 1970 film Airport, in the 1965 TV series The Wackiest Ship in the Army, in the 1969 Andy Griffith film Angel in My Pocket and for starring in the 1972 TV series The Sixth Sense.

Ex-Yankee Jim Leyritz says accident wasn't fault

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:44:00 +0000

Miami, FL

Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz says there's nothing he could have done to avoid a car crash that took a woman's life and prompted a charge of DUI manslaughter.

Leyritz gave an interview to The Miami Herald for a story published Sunday.

In it, he insists the accident wasn't his fault and exhibits an obsession with his case, which is scheduled for trial in September.

Police say Leyritz was drunk when he ran a red light and caused the crash that killed 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch in December 2007 in Fort Lauderdale. Authorities say Veitch also was drunk.

The 45-year-old Leyritz played for six teams in 11 major league seasons, including a stint with the New York Yankees in which he hit a memorable 1996 World Series home run.

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Rip Torn Gets Probation in DUI Case

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:54:00 +0000

Salisbury CT

Emmy winner and 30 Rock guest star Rip Torn has been sentenced to probation in a drunken-driving case stemming from his December 2008 arrest.

A Connecticut judge approved the actor's admission into an alcohol-education program on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. Torn, 78, must also retake his driver's test because of his severe hearing impairment, but he is still allowed to drive.

Torn was arrested near his Salisbury, Conn., home after police saw him driving in a breakdown lane. He pleaded not guilty to illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane in January.

Torn had two previous brushes with the law on similar drunken-driving charges: He paid a fine and temporarily lost his license in April 2007, and was acquitted of drunken driving and causing a crash in 2004.

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Broward judge says alcohol monitor likely malfunctioned for ex-Yankee Jim Leyritz

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:28:00 +0000

Fort Lauderdale, FL

A Broward County judge agreed Friday with ex-Major Leaguer Jim Leyritz that a monitoring device in the former slugger's car probably malfunctioned this week when it showed he had alcohol in his system.

Leyritz, who is awaiting trial on DUI manslaughter charges from a fatal December 2007 crash, could have been sent back to jail if Circuit Judge Marc Gold had decided otherwise.

After hearing from state prosecutor Stefanie Newman, who said the retired New York Yankee submitted urine samples that contradicted the results of the alcohol-monitoring device, Gold concluded Leyritz should not face any penalty.

"I don't believe there's any issue," the judge said.

Leyritz, dressed in a charcoal gray suit and accompanied by his ex-wife and friends, declined comment after the hearing.

His attorney, David Bogenschutz, said he asked for the emergency court hearing to express his concern about the alcohol-monitoring device.

"I was assured the machine would be fail-safe," Bogenschutz told the judge. Its readings, he pointed out, are often enough to send someone to jail.

In fact, earlier this year, Leyritz, 45, was jailed for five days after prosecutors said the monitoring device indicated he had driven after drinking on four separate occasions. Leyritz admitted to those violations.

Gold's decision on Friday did not lift the responsibilty from Leyritz of having the monitoring device on his car, which was a condition of his pretrial release.

On Wedneday, Leyritz became visibly distraught because of the Breathalyzer device's readings when he tried to start his vehicle, according to a police report.

Officers went to Leyritz's Davie home that night after he made a desperate call to a friend. An officer drove Leyritz to Memorial Regional Hospital West in Pembroke Pines, where he checked himself in, complaining of stress. He was discharged Thursday.

A trial date on the DUI manslaughter charge has not been set.

Leyritz is accused of being legally drunk when he failed to heed a red light and collided with a car driven by Fredia Veitch in downtown Fort Lauderdale, killing the 30-year-old woman.

Former NFL star Bruce Smith faces DUI charge

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 16 May 2009 04:06:00 +0000

Virginia Beach, VA

Former NFL star Bruce Smith was charged with drunken driving Friday morning after a police officer stopped him for speeding, Virginia Beach police said.

Police spokesman Jimmy Barnes said Smith was released on bond a few hours after being charged with speeding, driving under the influence and refusal to take an alcohol breath test. He could not determine whether a hearing date has been set, and it was not immediately clear whether the 45-year-old Smith had an attorney.

Smith, who played for the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins, is the NFL's all-time sacks leader. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year. He played in 11 Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro selection nine times.

Smith played at Virginia Tech before being taken by the Bills as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in 1985. He is a native of Norfolk but now lives in Virginia Beach.

Barnes said an officer in a special DUI enforcement unit stopped Smith's vehicle on Interstate 264 at about 1:42 a.m. He said he didn't know how fast Smith was driving in the 55 mph zone, but it must have been less than 75 mph or he would have been charged with reckless driving instead.

He said the officer reported Smith's demeanor was positive even though he refused the breath test.

Smith has two previous DUI arrests but has not been convicted. A 1997 charge was dismissed, and he was acquitted in 2003.

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Judge: NFL's Donte' Stallworth can go to Atlanta for medical care

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Miami, FL

Cleveland Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth, facing a DUI manslaughter case in Miami, can travel to Atlanta to receive medical treatment, a judge ruled Monday.

Stallworth is accused of driving drunk when his Bentley struck and killed a pedestrian in March on the McArthur Causeway in Miami Beach. Tests showed his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit, according to Miami-Dade prosecutors.

Stallworth's lawyer, Christopher Lyons, declined to address the nature of the medical visit.

Under his bond agreement, the NFL star is living in South Florida, working out in preparation for the football season. His trip will last one day, Lyons said.

The state attorney's office did not object to the trip.

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Ex-Yankee Leyritz, Awaiting DUI Death Trial, Hospitalized After Suicide Talk

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:02:00 +0000

New York, NY

Former Yankee Jim Leyritz had every reason not to drink and drive. In December 2007 he crashed into 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch's car and killed her while under the influence; above is video of Leyritz talking to police on that occasion. Last April, while Leyritz awaited trial, cops put a device in his car to make sure he wasn't still drinking and driving, and it showed that he did, four times. Leyritz has nonetheless insisted that the accident was Veitch's fault (she was reportedly drunk too). Wednesday cops went to check on him, and he announced to them that he was under a lot of stress; he had tried to start his car again, but the anti-drunk-driving device wouldn't let him, and he was upset that the result would get him put back in jail. The cops got the idea that he was suicidal, so they took him to the hospital. He came back home today and has been consulting with his lawyer, probably in anticipation of legal action.

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Bob Avellini acquitted: Former Chicago Bears quarterback cleared of DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Chicago, IL

Former Bears quarterback Bob Avellini was acquitted Wednesday of charges that he was driving drunk in Wheaton in 2007.

It was the third time since 2005 that Avellini has beaten drunken-driving charges in DuPage County. In 2002 he was convicted of drunken driving in DuPage County after being stopped on Interstate Highway 55 near Burr Ridge. DuPage County Judge Robert Kleeman, who presided over Wednesday's bench trial, said there was "a lack of evidence" needed to convict Avellini, 55, of Roselle, of the 2007 charge.

Avellini played for the Bears from 1975 to 1984.

Prosecutors: Kiefer Sutherland assault charge could violate DUI probation

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:50:00 +0000

Seattle, WA

Kiefer Sutherland's widely reported scrap with a fashion designer in New York City could violate the terms of his DUI probation in Los Angeles, a prosecutors' spokesman tells TVGuide.com.

New York police are investigating a complaint from designer Jack McCollough, who says Sutherland head-butted him at a party and who was spotted Wednesday with a cut on his nose. No charges have been filed, but New York's Daily News reported Wednesday that the actor will surrender in the next few weeks to face a third-degree assault charge.

"All we can say at this point is that he was the victim of a vicious, violent, unprovoked assault and that the matter is in the hands of the authorities," a rep for McCollough said in a statement to TVGuide.com, declining further comment.

Witnesses have said McCullough knocked Brooke Shields to the ground at an after-party for the Met Costume Institute Gala on Monday, and that Sutherland demanded McCullough apologize. McCullough pushed Sutherland, and the actor responded with a head-butt, the witnesses said.

Shields' rep told TMZ that "nothing happened to her," adding "Jack did nothing inappropriate. It's not clear what caused Kiefer to do what he did."

Sutherland is serving five years' probation, which started in December 2007, on a Los Angeles DUI charge. Committing a physical assault could be a violation of that probation, and prosecutors could seek a court hearing on the matter even without waiting for any assault charge to wind its way through the New York courts, said Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.

"The terms and conditions of DUI probations include the standard, obey all laws," Mateljan said. "We're waiting for the investigation to wrap up before we get involved and we inquire about more information."

Sutherland will see much more of New York this summer: A Fox rep says the new season of 24 will soon begin shooting there.

Representatives for Sutherland and Shields did not return calls for comment.

Donté Stallworth arraignment postponed a month

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:23:00 +0000

Cleveland, OH

Browns receiver Donté Stallworth's arraignment on DUI manslaughter charges has been postponed a month until May 21, Miami-Dade prosecutors said Thursday.

The delay came at the request of prosecutors "to allow us time to complete our investigation," Assistant State Attorney Pat Trese explained to a judge Thursday morning.

Miami Beach police said Stallworth, 28, was driving drunk when he struck and killed pedestrian Mario Reyes, 59, with his Bentley on March 14.
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"We just want to make sure that everything is absolutely correct," said State Attorney's spokesman Ed Griffith. "That's all it means."

Stallworth, who is free on $200,000 bond, did not appear at Thursday's hearing and will not have to do so on May 21.

In a news conference last week, Browns General Manager George Kokinis said of Stallworth's status: "He is on the team. I'm really not going to comment on what his status might be or hypothetically would be right now. The whole situation is a tragedy. He is focusing his energy and efforts to try to resolve that situation."

He also said Stallworth is working out in Miami instead of participating in the Browns' off-season program, which he did the first week or two after the accident.

"He is working along with his team, his attorneys and his advisers and really, to get that thing straightened out," Kokinis said.

Kokinis also said the Browns have not altered their draft strategy because of uncertainty over Stallworth's future. He faces four to 15 years in prison if convicted.

"Hungry Eyes" crooner Eric Carmen in the clink for DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:46:00 +0000

First off, I take issue with the above headline from E! Online. Hungry Eyes was recorded in 1987, released on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack and peaked at #4 on the charts.

By then, Eric Carmen's best years were behind him. His career peaked over a decade earlier, in 1976, when he left The Raspberries and released "All by Myself" which landed at #2. All by Myself is the song for which Eric Carmen always will be known (and loved?).

Bedford, MA

BEDFORD -- Bedford Municipal Court Judge Peter J. Junkin sentenced Raspberries' lead singer Eric Carmen to 180 days in jail, with 150 days suspended, and a $1,000 fine today after finding him guilty of driving while under the influence of alcohol last September, according to court officials.

Junkin has scheduled Carmen to report to the Solon City Jail at 8 a.m. April 25 to begin his sentence. Carmen is expected to serve until 8 a.m. May 24, court officials said.

Carmen's driver's license also remains suspended until Sept. 9, 2009, with the exception of occupational, medical and probational driving.

Junkin also required Carmen to have installed an ignition interlock system in his SUV, a device designed to prevent someone from driving if intoxicated.

Carmen also will be subject to alcohol testing and has to continue with an alcoholism prevention program he has been attending already.

Junkin also found him guilty of failure to control his vehicle and fined him an additional $150. Junkin dismissed the third charge against Carmen, a blood alcohol charge.

Adding in the $362 in court costs, Carmen paid a total of $1,362 before he left the courthouse, according to Chief Deputy Court Clerk John Garmone.

Carmen had changed his "not guilty" pleas to "no contest" on all three charges before Junkin found him guilty on two of the charges.

On Sept. 9, just before 7 p.m., Carmen crashed his black 2008 Range Rover into a fire hydrant on Chagrin Boulevard in Orange Village.

A blood alcohol test at Bedford Heights Jail later that night showed Carmen's blood alcohol level at .234, almost three times the legal limit of .08.

Orange Village police charged him with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and failure to control his vehicle.

He had pleaded not guilty to all charges on Sept. 12 through his attorney, his brother Fred Carmen.

In March 2007, Carmen was arrested by Gates Mills police for OVI after driving his Lexus SUV off SOM Center Road there, hitting a mailbox and a sign, then ending up in someone's front yard.

At his 2007 court appearance, Carmen pleaded no contest to the charges. The judge fined him $750 and sentenced him to 30 days in jail, with all but three of those days suspended.

The Raspberries started in Cleveland in 1972 with the Top 5 hit "Go All the Way." Three other Top 40 singles followed.

In 1974, Carmen also launched a successful solo career.

Donte Stallworth is charged with DUI manslaughter

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:42:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

An arrest warrant charging the Cleveland Browns receiver was filed in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old pedestrian in Miami.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged in Miami on Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk after a night out at a swank South Beach nightspot.

An arrest warrant charging Stallworth, 28, with DUI manslaughter was filed in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. If convicted, Stallworth would face as many as 15 years in prison.

Stallworth's blood-alcohol level after the crash was .126, well above Florida's legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth will also be charged with DUI, which carries a possible six-month sentence plus fines and community service for first offenders.

Stallworth, who is expected to surrender in court today, released a statement last month saying he was "grief-stricken" over the accident. Prosecutors said they will ask that he be released on $200,000 bail.

The arraignment for the 22-year-old son of Cal State Northridge basketball Coach Bobby Braswell on felony theft and burglary charges was postponed until April 23. Jeffrey Braswell, along with Northridge player DeonTresvant, 23, and Phannuel Gbewonyo, 28, allegedly stole more than $6,600 in merchandise from a Porter Ranch Best Buy store on New Year's Day.

The police officer who pulled out his gun and threatened an NFL player with jail instead of allowing him inside a hospital where his mother-in-law was dying has resigned. Officer Robert Powell had been put on paid leave pending an investigation of the March 18 incident. He had stopped Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats' car outside Baylor Regional Medical Center in Plano, Texas, after the vehicle rolled through a red light.

New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain pleaded guilty to drunk driving and was given probation and a fine. The 23-year-old right-hander was pulled over Oct. 18 by police on the outskirts of Lincoln, Neb. Authorities say his blood-alcohol level was .134. The legal limit in Nebraska is .08.