Michael Vick Files Plea in Federal Court
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Michael Vick filed his plea agreement in federal court today, admitting to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring and helping to kill pit bulls. He denied ever betting on the fights, though. He says he only bankrolled them. Then again, who knows what to believe because he initially said he had no involvement whatsoever. Michael is scheduled to formally enter his plea Monday in U.S. District Court. He signed the plea agreement yesterday.
The statement said that when the kennel’s dogs won, the gambling proceeds were generally shared by Michael’s three co-defendants — Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips. It also stated that Michael was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging. In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who will accept Michael’s plea, has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. Michael will not be sentenced for several months.
Michael’s attorney, Billy Martin, said MV will “speak to the public and explain his actions,” but he declined to say whether that will occur in court or in a news conference after Monday’s hearing. I’ll keep you “posted” (literally).
Tags: atlanta_falcons, dogfighting, michael_vick, national_football_league, pit_bullsRelated Stories
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