[bigboydan]

Well I guess so after all his homeboys sold him down the river.

Report: Vick considering plea bargain

ATLANTA, Aug. 14 (UPI) — Attorneys for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick reportedly are trying to negotiate a plea deal with federal prosecutors on dog-fighting charges.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, quoting a source who didn't want to be identified, said Vick, 27, was expected to talk with his lawyers and may make an announcement this week.

A spokesman for Vick's legal team wouldn't comment on reports of ongoing plea negotiations with prosecutors, but pressure on Vick increased with word that two of Vick's co-defendants would plead guilty later this week.

ESPN reported that two of Vick's attorneys met with a federal prosecutor and investigators Monday.

Last month, Vick pleaded innocent to conspiracy to engage in interstate illegal gambling and conspiring to sponsor dog-fighting matches and issued a statement asking the public not to rush to judgment.

Investigators allege that Vick and two co-defendants set up Bad Newz Kennels on land Vick owns in Virginia to raise and train pit bull dogs to fight.

[Doc JS]

Dan,

I'm not a lawyer and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night but I don't think he has a choice.

The Feds have said you better plead by Friday or we're going to hit you with additional charges including racketeering which will, if convicted, essentially double his possible prison time.

The Feds didn't come after him in the first place if they didn't have the goods on him. And with this three homeboys set to testify against him...this is a "cut your losses and take your medicine and come out on the other side" situation, IMHO.

[austintx05]

bye bye Michael Pick

[bigboydan]

If Vick plea bargains he'll get jail time anyways, so why not take your chances in court DocJS. His lawyer is pretty high profile, so he might actually beat the rap despite the overwhelming evidence.

[Scorpion]

This is a Federal case(not state like OJ), Vick has ZERO chance!

[mavs1978]

dan.. that insane.. one or two years vs 5..10 or more?

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by mavs1978

dan.. that insane.. one or two years vs 5..10 or more?

It maybe insane, but I think he could beat it in court. I mean after all those homeboys of his really don't have much creditability according to all the reports I've read.

[Doc JS]

Originally Posted by bigboydan

If Vick plea bargains he'll get jail time anyways, so why not take your chances in court DocJS. His lawyer is pretty high profile, so he might actually beat the rap despite the overwhelming evidence.

Dan,
As I understand it from listening to the talking heads, it's all a matter of risk/reward.

The Federal guidlines are real big on the idea of "taking personal responsibility". Take the plea, get out in less than a year. Probably be back in the NFL by next season.

Roll the dice and lose, and it's at least twice the jail time.

You'd have to f'ing KNOW you'd win in court (and I don't think it's anything like a slam dunk that he would) before you'd risk the possibility of more than a couple of years in jail.

If his people are talking with the Feds it to get Vick the least amount of jail time possible in the cushiest of Federal prisons.

I'll bet Vick pleads by Friday...

[Tchocky]

Why would he consider a plea bargain when he's innocent?

P.S. Bryant Gumbel will be discussing dogfighting on his HBO show tonight.

[20Four7]

Originally Posted by Scorpion

This is a Federal case(not state like OJ), Vick has ZERO chance!

That is 100% true and he will probably get double if he fights the charges.

[durito]

The rumor seems to be that he'll get less than a year with a plea right now.

With the charges the feds intend to add, he could be looking at 10 years. With a 95% conviction rate, even though he has the $ to probably lower those odds, it's probably a smart move for him to plea. I'm sure that's what his lawyers are advising him.

I believe that would allow atlanta to void his contract. But, he'd save himself millions in legal fees, be out in a year, and more than likely back in the NFL by 2009.

I'm sure he'll get to go to a white collar prison.

[LVHerbie]

also don't you go to a different prison if you get convicted of x number of years of more? I'm sure the last place Vick wants to end up is in higher security federal pen...

[Starion]

This whole damn case bugs me. People act like he murdered a person or something. I'm not for being cruel to animals but I think things should be kept in perspective. It's probably the whole "gambling" aspect that's getting him sent down the river.

I hope he gets lucky and does 30days during the 2008 offseason.

[tacomax]

Plea bargain reported as being taken by Vick.

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by tacomax

Plea bargain reported as being taken by Vick.

Any details as of yet Taco?

[tacomax]

RICHMOND, Va. -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick accepted a plea deal Monday to avoid additional federal charges in a dogfighting case and now faces a likely lengthy prison sentence.

"After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick has asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding charges pending against him," Billy Martin, one of Vick's attorneys, said in a statement.

"Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.

The terms of Vick's prison term are not yet known.

According to a story on the Virginian-Pilot's Web site, Vick will enter a guilty plea to the felony conspiracy charge of traveling in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities next Monday morning, said Lawrence Woodward, one of Vick's defense attorneys.

The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

"Mike's accepting full responsibility," Woodward told the newspaper. "He's going to do everything he can personally and professionally to make this situation right."

All three of Vick's co-defendants -- Tony Taylor of Hampton, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach -- have reached plea deals in the case. Vick had been facing a Nov. 26 trial date.

Vick's last two co-defendants, Phillips and Peace, pleaded guilty Friday and said he bankrolled gambling on dogfights at the quarterback's property in rural Surry County, not far from his hometown of Newport News. One said Vick helped drown or hang dogs that didn't do well.

Phillips and Peace entered plea agreements and agreed to testify against Vick. Taylor struck a similar deal last month.

The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

The NFL has barred Vick from the Falcons' training camp but has withheld further action while the league conducts its own investigation.

Peace, Phillips and Taylor pleaded guilty to the same charges facing Vick: conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

Their sentencings are set for November and December.

[abacus30]

dumbass deserves all he gets.

[bigboydan]

Tis appreciated Taco

I would have took my chances at trial personally.

[BatemanPatrickl]

I say ban him for life from the NFL and 3 years MIN in prison.

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by durito

The rumor seems to be that he'll get less than a year with a plea right now.

With the charges the feds intend to add, he could be looking at 10 years. With a 95% conviction rate, even though he has the $ to probably lower those odds, it's probably a smart move for him to plea. I'm sure that's what his lawyers are advising him.

I believe that would allow atlanta to void his contract. But, he'd save himself millions in legal fees, be out in a year, and more than likely back in the NFL by 2009.

I'm sure he'll get to go to a white collar prison.

The NFL will ban him for the gambling. If they don't, all hell will break loose. Guys will be playing dominos on the sidelines.

[pwdump]

stick a fork in him

[Sundram]

Now Vick gets his career demolished, just like he demolished those dogs. I don't have an ounce of sympathy for this asshole.

[goldengoat]

Originally Posted by bigboydan

Tis appreciated Taco

I would have took my chances at trial personally.

you'd have lost

no way vick would have beat the rap

[rjt721]

SportsCenter did a piece chronicling Vick's career that featured various interviews and on-field highlights. In a 2002 interview, Vick was asked to describe 3 things about himself that most people don't know. His response, "I love animals."

[moses millsap]

Good luck in the CFL.

[jjgold]

Vick will get banned for like 5 years in NFL

he is done

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by jjgold

Vick will get banned for like 5 years in NFL

he is done

Ban for life. SEE PETE ROSE.

[ProlinePlayer]

Originally Posted by OWNED

Good luck in the CFL.

No chance. I can't see any CFL team considering him. The image problems are just not worth the risk.

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by ProlinePlayer

No chance. I can't see any CFL team considering him. The image problems are just not worth the risk.

I disagree with this. Most CFL teams would take Vick in a heartbeat!

[Seattle Slew]

Amazing how anyone could be that stupid. I mean think about it? It's unreal how this guy ruined his career. A dog fighting ring?

Originally Posted by Sundram

Now Vick gets his career demolished, just like he demolished those dogs. I don't have an ounce of sympathy for this asshole.

[CrazyLou]

He'll miss a season or two after he's released, he'll be able to play again if he's in shape at 30 and teams are still interested. He'll donate a bunch to animal rights groups, say all the right things, etc. He'll get a second chance with some struggling team for a fraction of his old pay, obviously with no endorsement deals ever again.

[bigboydan]

Heres the latest scoop on this saga.

Vick dogfighting indictments on tap in Virginia county

RICHMOND, Va. -- The prosecutor in the county where Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has admitted to bankrolling a dogfighting operation plans to present evidence to the grand jury, Tuesday, that could possibly lead to an indictment.

"Yes, I'm presenting matters to the grand jury that involve dogfighting at 1915 Moonlight Road," Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday night.

Moonlight Road is the address of the two-story home on 15 mostly undeveloped acres that has been host to "Bad Newz Kennels" since 2001. It's where dozens of pit bulls were found in April, and where they were trained, fought and brutally executed.

"Most of the matters that I'm presenting have already been admitted in sworn statements authored by the defendants in the federal proceedings," Poindexter said.

Poindexter couldn't detail the exact indictments he will pursue, but said the local investigation and the federal investigation largely focused on different crimes.

"The killing of dogs is one of those statutory prohibitions. Dogfighting is a crime, the mistreatment of animals is a crime, so you could take your pick, or take them all," Poindexter said before cutting the conversation short. "I don't have anything else to say about it. I'm through with it. Hopefully it's coming to an end."

As is the case in grand jury hearings, the prosecutor will present evidence and the grand jury will decide whether or not to proceed. Vick, his co-defendants and lawyers are not permitted to attend the closed proceeding.

Efforts to reach Vick's lawyers by telephone and e-mail were not successful.

Vick and three co-defendants have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the case, and all are awaiting sentencing in federal court before the end of the year.

Vick, who faces up to five years in prison on the federal charges, also has been indefinitely suspended without pay by the NFL and been dropped by all his major sponsors, including Nike.

The local charges, and a conviction, could spell an end to any hope he has of resuming his NFL career after serving a likely federal prison term.

An animal cruelty charge in Virginia is punishable by up to five years in prison, and Vick admitted in his written plea to helping kill six to eight pit bulls days before the first raid.

Though not likely, that alone could expose him to as many as 40 years in prison.

Vick, in his written plea, also admitted to supplying money for gambling on the fights involving Bad Newz Kennels dogs. He said he did not personally place any bets or share in any winnings, but gave his three co-defendants all those proceeds.

The co-defendants, all of whom pleaded guilty before Vick and detailed what they said was his involvement, agreed to testify against him had the case gone to trial.

The case began in late April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided the former Virginia Tech star's property and seized dozens of dogs, most of them pit bulls, and equipment commonly associated with dogfighting.

Six weeks later, with the local investigation perceived to be dragging and a search warrant allowed to expire, federal agents arrived with their own search warrants and started digging up dog carcasses buried days before the first raid.

Poindexter, who had been widely criticized for the pace of the investigation, reacted angrily when the feds moved in, suggesting that Vick's celebrity was a draw, or that their pursuit of the case could have racial overtones. He later eased off those comments, saying that the sides would simply be pursuing parallel investigations.