cronincal

state charges pending. goodbye nfl, hello protective custody.

Vick sentenced to 23 months in prison
Star NFL quarterback pleaded guilty to bankrolling brutal dogfighting ring
The Associated Press
updated 9:54 a.m. CT, Mon., Dec. 10, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback had faced up to five years at his sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Federal sentencing guidelines suggested a year to 18 months.

Vick pleaded guilty in August. In a plea agreement, he admitted bankrolling the “Bad Newz Kennels” dogfighting operation on his 15-acre property in rural southeastern Virginia and helping kill six to eight pit bulls that did not perform well in test fights.

He also admitted providing money for bets on the fights but said he never shared in any winnings.

At a news conference after pleading guilty, Vick apologized to the NFL, the Falcons and youngsters who viewed him as a role model and vowed: “I will redeem myself.”

By 8 a.m. ET Monday, about 50 people were in line outside the courthouse waiting for the doors to open. About two dozen animal rights activists stood across the street holding posters showing injured pit bulls and the messages, “Report Dogfighters” and “Dogs Deserve Justice.”

“We want to make sure the focus on the animals in this case isn’t lost,” said Dan Shannon, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Ryan Eanes, 27, of Richmond, wore his No. 7 Vick jersey as he waited in line.

“We all make mistakes,” Eanes said. “I don’t support the situation with the animals, but I support him. I believe his apology is sincere.”

After testing positive for marijuana — a violation of conditions set for his release — Vick was placed on a curfew and monitored electronically. He voluntarily began serving his sentence early and has been held since Nov. 19 at a jail in Warsaw, Va.

Court papers revealed gruesome details about Vick’s dogfighting operation, including the execution of underperforming dogs by electrocution, drowning, hanging and other means. Those details prompted a public backlash against the once-popular NFL star and outraged animal-rights groups, which used the case to call attention to the brutality of dogfighting.

Vick was suspended without pay by the NFL and lost all his lucrative endorsement deals.

Two of Vick’s co-defendants were sentenced Nov. 30. Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach got 18 months, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta 21 months. Another co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced Friday.

The case began in April when a drug investigation of Vick’s cousin led authorities to the former Virginia Tech star’s Surry County property, where they found dozens of pit bulls — some of them injured — and equipment associated with dogfighting.

Vick initially denied any knowledge about dogfighting on the property. He changed his story after the three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government.

© 2007 The Associated Press

Teri B.

2 years! That's it! Oh well, I guess that's fair enough, considering there may be more charges still coming. Piece of crap savage bastard is paying a price.

Sean

I hope the loser gets raped in prison.

Refuge51

He'll be out by the summer of 2009

From http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=3976373

"Although there is no parole in the federal system, rules governing time off for good behavior could reduce Vick's prison stay by about three months, resulting in a summer 2009 release."

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cronincal

since he insisted on doing all that lying after he was caught, the state just may get medieval on his ass and make any sentence he gets from them consecutive instead of concurrent.

Refuge51

Ooh that sounds even better

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I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.
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Teri B.

Yes it does, and what about all these reported pending charges? Where are they? I wish they'd get to it already? I think that it's great that he's being made an example of for all these thugs to see that dog fighting won't be tolerated, even if your a famous, beloved NFL QB, but if he gets off light, what message will that send?

Refuge51

Money talks, criminals walk.

__________________
I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.
~George McGovern~

EvilMonkey

I think this is fair enough justice, he's doing time and his career and all his endorsements are all over. Even if he gets picked up by another team down the road, his life as he knows it is still over.

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Teri B.

I was just talking to a friend who rescues animals. He said that the State charges are pending and ready to go, but Vick's lawyers are still trying to argue double jeopardy. I REALLY don't understand how this works exactly, but Vick did commit multiple felonies, multiple times, and in different states. Seems to me that's a flimsy argument.