Post by The Grim Reaper on Aug 20, 2007 14:03:25 GMT -5
Vick agrees to plead guilty in dogfighting case
ESPN.com news services
Updated: August 20, 2007, 2:50 PM ET
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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.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
ESPN.com news services
Updated: August 20, 2007, 2:50 PM ET
Comment
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.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
