Michael Vick Pleads Guilty - makes plea deal

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Vick will plead guilty

By JEREMY REDMON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 08/20/07

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in his federal dogfighting case and will enter his guilty plea during a court hearing next Monday, his attorney said. Taking the plea deal potentially jeopardizes his NFL career.

"Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to these charges and to accept full responsibility for those actions and for the mistakes he has made," Billy Martin, Vick's attorney, said in a statement issued Monday afternoon. "Michael wishes to apologize to everyone who has been hurt by this matter."

Martin did not immediately respond to a telephone call for comment about what sentence Vick could get through his plea deal. But if his plea agreement is similar to that of his two co-defendants who pleaded guilty Friday, he faces 12 to 18 months in prison, according to federal sentencing guidelines.

However, Judge Henry E. Hudson could go below or above that amount, but not exceed five years. Hudson, who is known for handing out harsh sentences, signaled to Vick's two co-defendants last week that he found the facts of the case particularly aggravating.

Hudson announced to reporters Monday that Vick's plead hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. Monday. Federal prosecutors had warned Vick that he must agree to a plea deal last Friday or face more serious charges — including at least one racketeering charge — as part of a superseding indictment this week, people with knowledge of the negotiations said.

In pleading guilty, Vick could be facing severe sanctions from the NFL. A federal grand jury indicted him last month on a single count of conspiracy to cross state lines to engage in illegal gambling; to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture; and to buy, transport and receive dogs for animal fighting.

The NFL's anti-gambling policy states that a player can be suspended indefinitely or have his contract terminated if he "knowingly associates with gamblers or gambling activity." The NFL issued a brief statement today about Vick, who has been suspended pending a league investigation of the case.

"We totally condemn the conduct outlined in the charges, which is inconsistent with what Michael Vick previously told both our office and the Falcons," the NFL statement said. "We will conclude our own review under the league's personal conduct policy as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have asked the Falcons to continue to refrain from taking action pending a decision by the commissioner."

The Falcons also issued a statement today.

"We are certainly troubled with the news today concerning Michael Vick's guilty plea to federal charges. It is our understanding that the terms of Michael's plea will not be available until next Monday, August 27. Additionally, Commissioner Goodell has asked us not to take any action until he has completed his own review of Michael's situation. Accordingly, we will have no further comment until that time."

Animal rights activists reacted quickly to the news for Vick's plea agreement.

"This country doesn't like dogfighting, and dogfighters had better hear that message and get out of the business," said Dan Shannon, PETA's assistant director of youth outreach & campaigns.

"PETA is calling on the NFL to add cruelty to animals, in all its forms, to its 'Personal Conduct Policy.' This case has clearly shown that NFL fans are just as outraged by cruelty to animals as any of the other antisocial behaviors outlined in the policy.

Also, Gerald Poindexter, the Commonwealth's attorney for Surry County, where Vick allegedly operated his dogfighting business, said last week the evidence revealed in federal court Friday solidified his plans to move forward with his own case. State charges could bring Vick a minimum of 40 years in prison.

On Friday, co-defendants Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, and Purnell Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy related to dogfighting, joining a third co-defendant, Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton, Va., who entered a guilty plea last month.

In a statement of facts he signed with prosecutors, Peace said Vick posed for a photo with him and the other co-defendants along with a female pit bull they were about to sponsor in a dogfight in North Carolina four years ago.

The document says Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor — who referred to themselves as Bad Newz Kennels — traveled from Virginia to North Carolina with a female pit bull named "Jane" to participate in a dogfight against another pit bull owned by an organization called "Lockjaw Kennels."

"Prior to this fight, " the statement says, "all four 'Bad Newz Kennels' members took a picture with 'Jane.' "

Also, Vick joined Peace and Phillips in executing eight dogs they didn't think would fight well on or about April 25 — by various means, including hanging and drowning, Peace and Phillips said in statements they signed with prosecutors. According to the statements, the dogs died as a collective effort of the three men.

Peace told prosecutors that Vick paid him $3,000 a month to take care of pit bulls on Vick's property in rural Surry County. Peace, who goes by the nickname "P-Funk," became the primary caretaker of the dogs after Taylor left the operation following a disagreement with Phillips, the statement says.

Vick, nicknamed "Ookie, "almost exclusively bankrolled their dogfighting business and related gambling, Peace, Phillips and Taylor have told prosecutors.

Peace and Phillips will be sentenced on Nov. 30. Taylor has a sentencing date of Dec. 14.

When he talked to Peace and Phillips about sentencing them, Judge Hudson warned they could face stiffer-than-normal penalties because of the circumstances in the case.

"In your case, there will be an upward departure [in sentencing]. There are aggravated circumstances in this case, no doubt about it, " Hudson told Phillips.

Hudson also confronted Phillips for testing positive for drugs while out on bond. Hudson ordered him into federal custody. Phillips also confirmed that he was also on probation for an offense in Atlanta. And Hudson referred to how Phillips had two prior convictions for drug distribution and one for drug possession. Peace was released. Attorneys for the two men declined to comment outside the courthouse.

Poindexter said he still plans to prosecute Vick and others on animal cruelty and dogfighting charges

"The execution of these animals — and the manner in which they were executed — is startlingly offensive and demanding of prosecution, " said Poindexter, who had come under public criticism for not pursuing the case before federal prosecutors took it over.

Poindexter said he likely would submit his case to a grand jury scheduled to convene Sept. 25. He has not determined which charges he will file but said he would aggressively prosecute based on previously acquired evidence and information presented in the federal case. Dogfighting and animal cruelty are felonies in Virginia, with animal cruelty charges holding penalties of up to five years in jail for each animal killed.

— Staff writers Bill Rankin, Tim Tucker and Steve Wyche contributed to this report.

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[pedroh 21]

Michael Vicks is so fukcin OWNED

[mawilson 2,133]

Michael Vicks is so fukcin OWNED

Damn - I was looking forward to the next pitbull fighting match.

[almaty 19]

hang him by the nabs..

[JODO 2]

What an idiot. Some people go to great lengths to mess up their lives.

[no name 1]

Thank god. I am thrilled he is going DOWN.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

What an idiot. Some people go to great lengths to mess up their lives.

True... It's a huge problem for some of these rich young people today. They have evidently not been groomed on what it means to be an adult and that is what we have been witnessing more and more these days. It's very disturbing how they are so rich or talented but yet... so stupid. I want to just scream... Grow up!!!

[Nagishkaw 510]

Michael Vick

makes me sick

someone quick

cut off his d__K