RE:Mike Vick case (Full Version)

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Todd M -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 4:02:03 AM)

I forgot to mention that at least there's Tiger Woods for some of the youth of America to look up to. Like it or not kids like to look up to professional athletes, esp phenoms, so I'm thankful for men like him. Tiger rules!



Kurtis -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 4:25:05 AM)

Lance Armstrong is someone I look up to, even though I find bicycling just about as boring a sport as there is. Anyone who went through what he went through gets my respect.



thebigo -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 5:06:16 AM)

[quote="Todd Mallett"]So there is exactly one defendant in the Michael Vick case. Vick himself. All the other co-defendants are now pleading guilty and are willing to testify against him. In real life we should all expect the onus to be on someone in this deep to go above and beyond proving their innocence. IE his ass should be testifying. That also means no pro Vick support rallies. Really, if you see these people (I won't) point out to them how ridiculous they are for me. Odds are Vick is guilty. 99.999999999% Last two Vick co-defendants set to accept plea deals http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=130223&ran=6105[/quote] Like I said earlier, the Feds no doubt pointed out to the other defendants that Vick ain't going to making big dough no mo, no point in taking one for the team no mo. Without the dough, is anyone surprised that Vicks "buds" are rolling on him?



Todd M -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 1:12:36 PM)

But what I found interesting, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that the first guy, and I'm assuming the other two, aren't guaranteed a reduced sentence for pleading guilty and testifying. It's just that they'll get consideration. Pretty good indication that the Feds have a strong case.



Jeff Jesser -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 4:36:55 PM)

Playing devils advocate....are they doing that just to save their own ass, knowing the prosecutors want to set an example with a "name"?



Jeff Jesser -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 4:37:12 PM)

BTW- that plea should come as no surprise to anyone.



Trekgeekscott -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 7:30:31 PM)

[quote="Jeff Jesser"]Playing devils advocate....are they doing that just to save their own ass, knowing the prosecutors want to set an example with a "name"?[/quote] The big "name" here has a lot of money to defend himself (see OJ Simpson) and could find himself acquitted (no I am not saying that he will, but you know high priced lawyers are high priced for a reason). The other guys may have been left out in the cold by Vick, set to fend for themselves. Without the big money lawyers, they stood no chance in court. The Feds, looking to strengthen their case further than it already is made plea deals in exchange for the co-defendent's testimony. When given the opportunity, prosecutors (normally political animals) will go after the big name, so as to make a name for themselves. Sometimes this causes a rush to prosecute (see Duke Lacrosse team). But in this case it sounds like the evidence is pretty solid. And after the Lacrosse thing, I think prosecutors are a little more careful now.



Jeff Jesser -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/14/2007 8:43:35 PM)

My best guess is that Vick will plea himself in the next 24 hours.



Steven JL -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 2:22:30 PM)

Latest on the case is that Vick's legal team is divided on taking a plea or going to trial (or at least that is what they leaked to the media). Let's see from his laywer's perspective... August 15th to ~ December 15th ... 4 months ... 18 weeks ... 700 hours ~ 5 lawyers, 4 legal aids ~ 6000 billable hours ~ $400 / hour ~ $2.4 million Plea deal: August 15th to August 17th ... 2 days ... 16 hours ~ 150 hours ~ $60,000. hmmmmm.... Seriously, he's cooked and must plea. I think this is just a tactic to try to pressure (lmao) the Feds into giving him as good a deal as possible. If I were his lawyer I would try to get the Feds to accept a "no contest" plea at an acceptable reduced sentence. That way Vick would avoid all the ugly details of a trial (which will SURELY end his NFL career), serve the time the Feds demand, and then still have the opportunity to claim that he didn't do it but didn't want to contest the charges so as to move forward. At this point he needs to do anything he can to try to salvage his NFL career. He's going to be spending 12-18 months in jail but if he plays it just right he has a small chance of playing football again in 2009. If he doesn't he's permanent toast.



Duane Sampson -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 2:24:39 PM)

Two more plea deals spell serious trouble for Vick By Lester Munson ESPN.com Updated: August 14, 2007, 8:54 PM ET Two of Michael Vick's co-defendants in a massive dogfighting conspiracy indictment have indicated they will plead guilty and might testify against Vick in a trial that begins Nov. 26 in Richmond, Va. Purnell Peace, 35, and Quanis Phillips, 28, will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson later this week to admit their participation in a scheme of breeding, training, fighting and executing pit bull terriers that went on for six years in five states. Their actions raise a number of questions for Vick, who is considering his own plea. Here are some of the questions and the answers: What do these anticipated guilty pleas mean for Vick? These developments are terrible news for Vick. He already was caught in a bad situation with five witnesses ready to testify against him. The five included four who cooperated early with the government and helped federal prosecutors with the devastating details in the 18-page indictment. Then, two weeks ago, Tony Taylor, another of Vick's co-defendants, agreed to admit guilt and testify against Vick. Taylor, according to the indictment, worked with Vick to establish the dogfighting operation less than eight weeks after Vick signed his first NFL contract. Adding Peace and Phillips to these five witnesses leaves Vick in a legal checkmate. He is surrounded by hostile forces. There might be no escape from the brutal charges against him. Peace and Phillips are mentioned a total of 94 times in the indictment. Their testimony puts Vick in the middle of the scheme from its beginning in June 2001 until it ended with a police raid this past April. With seven witnesses lined up against him, what should Vick do? Vick should be assessing the same realities that led Peace and Phillips to plead guilty. Sources have told ESPN that Vick is deciding whether to consider the possibility a jail sentence of less than one year. Government prosecutors want a jail sentence of more than one year, according to ESPN sources, and Vick's lawyers have suggested to him that he seriously consider a jail sentence of less than one year. Vick has a difficult decision to make. Unless he is caught in some level of denial or delusion, Vick must be looking hard at the idea of admitting guilt and considering an outcome that would allow him to preserve some fraction of his career in the NFL. Vick has the money and the lawyers to put up a powerful fight, but they are up against a massive and impressive investigation as well as the seven witnesses. Billy Martin, Vick's lead lawyer, has done wonders in a courtroom, but the government's case against Vick provides scant opportunity for creating the kind of "reasonable doubt" that can lead to a not guilty verdict. A jury likely would be outraged by the brutality of the evidence and impressed with its substance and its gravity. It would not be a big surprise if Vick entered a guilty plea within the next several days. Why would Vick's friends and cohorts in the alleged dogfighting enterprise decide to admit their guilt? It must have been difficult for Peace and Phillips to decide to admit their culpability and agree to testify against Vick. It was Vick's name and money that made the alleged operation possible. Peace and Phillips are high school dropouts who, according to the indictment, performed various chores for Bad Newz Kennels for six years, enjoying the excitement of the dark side of celebrity. Without Vick, none of it would have been possible. Both must have felt they owed Vick something, but both decided to help themselves even if it meant hurting Vick. Their decisions will allow them to avoid the cost and the agony of a trial and reduce their possible time in prison. Their decisions were based on difficult realities. If the case goes to trial, the prosecutors will suggest that their decisions were painful acts of integrity that will help eradicate dogfighting in America. What will happen now to Peace and Phillips? When they appear in court in Richmond later this week, Peace and Phillips will present signed plea agreements to Hudson. They will promise to tell the entire truth about the alleged dogfighting operation to agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and federal prosecutors. In return, they will claim they are entitled to leniency in the sentences that result from their admissions. Both have prior criminal convictions and face serious prison time under federal sentencing guidelines. If they help the government and are not caught in any lies, they can expect their prison time to be cut in half. What's next? Can it get any worse for Vick? Yes, it could get worse in a hurry. The federal prosecutors in Richmond are preparing a new set of charges, known in legal terms as a superseding indictment. The new charges could come any day. The new charges might include a racketeering allegation under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (known as RICO). RICO originally was designed as a weapon against organized-crime hoodlums but has been used frequently in other prosecutions. A charge under RICO would make Vick's situation significantly worse. It would make the government's case against him easier to prove, and it would increase the prison sentence Vick would face if convicted. Lester Munson, a Chicago lawyer and journalist who has been reporting on investigative and legal issues in the sports industry for 18 years, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.



Duane Sampson -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 2:26:10 PM)

Vick must decide whether to accept plea agreement ESPN.com news services Updated: August 15, 2007, 2:23 AM ET Lawyers representing Michael Vick on federal dogfighting charges are trying to negotiate a plea agreement that would include less than the year of prison time that prosecutors have offered, ESPN learned on Tuesday. A source also said that Vick's attorneys have recommended that the embattled quarterback accept a deal if it includes less than a year of jail time, but he has not decided whether to fight the charges. Vick's situation became more tenous on Monday night when two more co-defendants decided to cooperate with the government. Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips are scheduled to appear in federal court in Richmond on Friday to accept plea agreements. That clears them to testify against Vick. Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick's lawyers, said they were surprised by the plea deals. "They didn't see it coming," Spencer said. Sources told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that Vick attorneys Larry Woodward and Billy Martin met with federal prosecutor Michael Gill and the investigators on Monday afternoon. In a Richmond, Va., court in late July, Vick pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. He said in a written statement that he looked forward to "clearing my good name." He also pleaded with the public to resist a rush to judgment. Another of Vick's co-defendants, 34-year-old Tony Taylor, pleaded guilty to the same charges and has pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and the two others. The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining co-defendants if called upon to do so. A source close to the investigation told Naqi that Vick has until Friday to make up his mind whether to accept a plea agreement. Otherwise a superseding indictment will be filed and Vick will face at least two more federal dogfighting charges. Meanwhile, the NFL dismissed a report Sunday that said commissioner Roger Goodell was close to announcing a season-long suspension of Vick. Citing two sources within the league, Yahoo.com reported late Sunday night that Goodell will announce "this week or next" that Vick will be suspended for the 2007 season. "That's the direction it's going and has been from the time this started," one of the sources said this week, according to Yahoo. "The plan was to make sure it was announced before the season. Given what everybody has seen from what [league] security found and what the feds are telling us, there's really no choice." Eric Holder, a former deputy attorney general retained by the league, is still gathering facts on Vick's alleged involvement in dogfighting, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday. "The commissioner has not made any decision," Aiello said. The gruesome details outlined in the July 17 indictment have fueled public protests against Vick and prompted the suspension of some of his lucrative endorsement deals. The summary of facts signed by Taylor supports the indictment's claims that the dogfighting ring on Vick's property in Surry County, Va., executed underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other brutal means. Taylor admitted shooting one dog and electrocuting another when they did not perform well in test fights in the summer of 2002. Vick has been barred from Falcons training camp by Goodell while the league conducts its investigation. "While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback on July 24. Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said he has not spoken with his players about Vick's troubles since camp opened. "I'm not ready to respond to anything regarding Michael because I know nothing new," Petrino said. Falcons running back Warrick Dunn, Vick's teammate since 2002, said he recently spoke with the 27-year-old quarterback to offer support. Dunn added, however, that the players have no choice but to move ahead and prepare for the Sept. 9 season opener at Minnesota. "I don't think anybody on this team right now is hoping that Mike comes back," Dunn said. "If he comes back, that's great, but I just think right now we're at point where the guys that are here are trying to get better and move on down the road. Mike is going to be missed and has been missed, but at the same time you have to go on." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.



Todd M -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 2:45:53 PM)

I read that Vick's lawyers may be pressuring him to plea ASAP as more charges (racketeering [others?]) may soon be added on. So, if he pleads guilty, no more charges can be brought forth? How does it work? I don't see why the state would accept the ring master of all this serving a year or less in jail. If he goes to trial as it stands with the conspiracy charges the max is 5 years right? And if found guilty he would likely be facing the max sentencing. So what I don't get is how all these other potential charges come in to play. I'd like to see some actual animal cruelty charges laid on him. I understand that they have a greater chance of making the conspiracy charges stick but don't they have a lengthy list of additional charges they could lay down? Again, how does pleading guilty to the conspiracy charges make all the rest of it go away? Help me out here.



Steven JL -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 4:01:49 PM)

Friday is apparently the deadline when the Feds will submit a superceding indictment which would add charges. Basically it's a tactic by the Feds to pressure Vick. If they can get a guilty plea and significant jail time here for the wrongdoing (and I mean the overall act of the entire 5 year enterprise) - they will be successful. It'll be the most high profile conviction of a dog fighter ever and will certainly damage the "industry" and drive it even further underground. Another thing to consider is a wise use of taxpayer dollars. An actual trial will cost a fair amount and tie up a courtroom. Now the superceding indictment will add more "crimes" to the tally but isn't another incident of wrongdoing. (It's all part of the same 5-year enterprise). So while Vick is facing more time if he risks trial, the Feds bascially will "win" if he serves significant jail time (as it will send a strong message to society). Although the crimes he committed are heinous I don't think they merit 10 years behind bars even though the new charges could push the total even higher than that. Society wins here if Vick serves more than a year. That's a strong message on this crime and will lead to less dogfighting overall.



Jeff Jesser -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 4:07:32 PM)

I think the prosecution would accept his plea because it wouldn't cost the tax payers any money and muck up the courts for months. I'm not for it but that's probably what they are thinking. I would be pissed with less then 1 year time for him. In fact, I hope he's dumb enough to try and fight it.



Jim Frenette -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 6:22:24 PM)

[quote="Jeff Jesser"]I think the prosecution would accept his plea because it wouldn't cost the tax payers any money and muck up the courts for months. I'm not for it but that's probably what they are thinking. I would be pissed with less then 1 year time for him. In fact, I hope he's dumb enough to try and fight it.[/quote] If any of the other three get a year or more in their plea bargins, then Vick has to get at least that also. With three witnesses and other evidence, he would be wise to take a plea bargin and save on Lawyer fees as he will need money to live on when he gets out.



Toby Stumbo -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 6:22:31 PM)

HAHA, what the HELL! :shock: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293268,00.html South Carolina Inmate Hits Michael Vick With '$63,000,000,000 Billion Dollar' Lawsuit Alleging Al Qaeda Ties Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Embattled NFL quarterback Michael Vick, facing federal charges related to his alleged participation in dogfighting, has been hit with a "$63,000,000,000 billion dollar" lawsuit filed by a South Carolina inmate who alleges the Atlanta Falcons star stole his pit bulls and sold them on eBay to buy "missiles from Iran," FOX News has learned. Jonathan Lee Riches filed the handwritten complaint over "theft and abuse of my animals" on July 23 in the U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va. • Click here to read the filing against Vick.(pdf) Riches alleges that Vick stole two white mixed pit bull dogs from his home in Holiday, Fla., and used them for dogfighting operations in Richmond, Va. The complaint goes on to allege that Vick sold the dogs on eBay and “used the proceeds to purchase missiles from the Iran government.” The complaint also alleges that Vick would need those missiles because he pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in February of this year. “Michael Vick has to stop physically hurting my feelings and dashing my hopes,” Riches writes in the complaint. Riches wants $63 billion dollars “backed by gold and silver “ delivered to the front gates to the Williamsburg Federal Correctional facility in South Carolina. Riches is an inmate at the facility serving out a wire fraud conviction. FOXNews.com attempted to contact Vick, but neither he nor his spokesman could be reached for comment. Vick's attorneys, meanwhile, are negotiating a plea deal with federal prosecutors before new dogfighting charges are filed next week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. • Click here for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution story. No plea agreement involving Atlanta Falcons quarterback Vick has been filed, according to the court clerk, FOX News has learned. Vick was accused of being involved in a dogfighting ring called "Bad Newz Kennels" run on property he owned in Surry County, Va. In late July, Vick pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in a Richmond, Va., court. Vick could reach an agreement ahead of new charges expected to come down next week after two more of Vick's three co-defendants prepare to enter guilty pleas later this week. By reaching a plea agreement, Vick could avoid any additional charges. FOX News' Ian McCaleb contributed to this report.



Jeff Jesser -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 6:24:23 PM)

shit. that is exactly the opposite of our tax dollars being ok in the legal system.



Todd M -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 6:34:43 PM)

Maybe this is the best way then. He has to stand up and announce to the world that he is a criminal and a lair. Innocent until proven guilty unless you have to lie down like a dog because the system worked here. Double bravo to the Federal investigators for both over riding that bum Poindexter and for doing such a stellar job putting this case together that this may not even go to trial. And without a trial there can't be any freaking out by those that question the verdict, guilty or not. I think three full years in jail would be an acceptable sentence if he pleads guilty.



Vernon Smith -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 6:57:17 PM)

[quote="Jim Frenette"][quote="Jeff Jesser"]I think the prosecution would accept his plea because it wouldn't cost the tax payers any money and muck up the courts for months. I'm not for it but that's probably what they are thinking. I would be pissed with less then 1 year time for him. In fact, I hope he's dumb enough to try and fight it.[/quote] If any of the other three get a year or more in their plea bargins, then Vick has to get at least that also. With three witnesses and other evidence, he would be wise to take a plea bargin and save on Lawyer fees as he will need money to live on when he gets out.[/quote] Vick is, I believe the only one among the group w/ no criminal record. That aids in sentencing. If he pleas to a lesser charge than the conspiracy, he may well do less than a year. (which is what I am sure his attorney is angling for) Also, even w/ the conspiracy, if he is found to be a bit player instead of the main person then his sentence will be significantly less than the others.



Duane Sampson -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 8:18:52 PM)

-- Vick's Defense Team Angling for Less than One Year of Jail Time -- Wed Aug 15, 2007 The Washington Post reports Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick's attorneys are engaged in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors, who are pressuring Vick to admit guilt in the dogfighting charges against him now that two more co-defendants have scheduled plea hearings for later this week. , sources familiar with the case said yesterday. Prosecutors asked Vick's attorneys to give them an answer by Friday. As of yesterday afternoon, no plea deal was imminent. One source said last night that the plea agreement being discussed would involve a year or less of jail time for Vick and, if it's accepted, would be designed by Vick's legal team to ensure his release from jail while he's still young enough to play football.



Duane Sampson -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 8:19:46 PM)

-- Links to Gambling Could Threaten Vick's NFL Career -- Wed Aug 15, 2007 The New York Times reports the assertion that Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick gambled on dogfighting appears to be a more serious threat to his professional football career and freedom than the federal felony charges that he helped organize and run a dogfighting ring. Federal prosecutors are preparing a new set of indictments in the case against Vick. The charges are believed to include counts stemming from gambling that he is suspected of having financed. That is one reason Vick’s lawyers are considering a guilty plea that would avoid a new indictment. Whether or not Vick pleads guilty, his suspected connection to gambling could jeopardize his football career. The NFL prohibits any association with gamblers or with gambling activities. Such involvement may result in severe penalties, including "a suspension from the NFL for life," the league’s gambling policy states. Tony Taylor, one of Vick’s co-defendants, said in a statement of facts that he signed when he entered a guilty plea July 30 that the "gambling monies" used by the suspected dogfighting ring run from Vick’s property "were almost exclusively funded by Vick." Taylor cited at least nine instances in which gambling took place on Vick’s property in Surry, Va., or in which Vick was one of the sponsors for a dog in a fight in which a purse was won.



Jeff Jesser -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/15/2007 8:56:35 PM)

I wonder what the gambling charges would perpetuate to? Would they start taking a gander at his taxes? I doubt he list winnings/losses from dog fighting on his 1040EZ ;)



Trekgeekscott -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/16/2007 2:51:44 PM)

[quote="Toby Stumbo"]HAHA, what the HELL! :shock: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293268,00.html South Carolina Inmate Hits Michael Vick With '$63,000,000,000 Billion Dollar' Lawsuit Alleging Al Qaeda Ties Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Embattled NFL quarterback Michael Vick, facing federal charges related to his alleged participation in dogfighting, has been hit with a "$63,000,000,000 billion dollar" lawsuit filed by a South Carolina inmate who alleges the Atlanta Falcons star stole his pit bulls and sold them on eBay to buy "missiles from Iran," FOX News has learned. Jonathan Lee Riches filed the handwritten complaint over "theft and abuse of my animals" on July 23 in the U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va. • Click here to read the filing against Vick.(pdf) Riches alleges that Vick stole two white mixed pit bull dogs from his home in Holiday, Fla., and used them for dogfighting operations in Richmond, Va. The complaint goes on to allege that Vick sold the dogs on eBay and “used the proceeds to purchase missiles from the Iran government.” The complaint also alleges that Vick would need those missiles because he pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in February of this year. “Michael Vick has to stop physically hurting my feelings and dashing my hopes,” Riches writes in the complaint. Riches wants $63 billion dollars “backed by gold and silver “ delivered to the front gates to the Williamsburg Federal Correctional facility in South Carolina. Riches is an inmate at the facility serving out a wire fraud conviction. FOXNews.com attempted to contact Vick, but neither he nor his spokesman could be reached for comment. Vick's attorneys, meanwhile, are negotiating a plea deal with federal prosecutors before new dogfighting charges are filed next week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. • Click here for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution story. No plea agreement involving Atlanta Falcons quarterback Vick has been filed, according to the court clerk, FOX News has learned. Vick was accused of being involved in a dogfighting ring called "Bad Newz Kennels" run on property he owned in Surry County, Va. In late July, Vick pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in a Richmond, Va., court. Vick could reach an agreement ahead of new charges expected to come down next week after two more of Vick's three co-defendants prepare to enter guilty pleas later this week. By reaching a plea agreement, Vick could avoid any additional charges. FOX News' Ian McCaleb contributed to this report.[/quote] I think maybe I'll sue Michael Vick for making me some coffee that I spilled all over myself.



Mark Duda -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/16/2007 4:14:25 PM)

Newest Vick Action Figure



Jeff Jesser -> RE:Mike Vick case (8/16/2007 4:36:07 PM)

Looks like I finally got one right. Word it Vick is getting ready to take that plea.



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