Looks like 1yr for Vick.

opus

"I sure hope that was worth it"

petrym

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-michaelvick&prov=ap&type=lgns

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick files plea in federal court, admits dogfighting

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Michael Vick filed his plea agreement in federal court Friday admitting to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring and helping kill pit bulls. He denied ever betting on the fights, only bankrolling them.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback is scheduled to formally enter his plea Monday in U.S. District Court. He signed the plea agreement Thursday.

zombie boy 2000

This is just a ploy to get back into the NFL... nothing else. By not admitting to the gambling charges, he possibly sidesteps a lifetime ban from the league. Speaks volumes about his character.

ZombiesCuz

With my personal feelings about the situation aside (which would go against the majority opinion).
It speaks volume about his slyness. Unfortunately for him, the NFL's conduct policy requires FULL disclosure about involvement in illegal activities, so we'll never see him clack-clacking down the tunnel again, if Goodell has anything to say about it.

zombie boy 2000

And with the new "Ricky Williams" rule in effect in the CFL and the World League folding, you can now do the parade wave to any pro career whatsoever. And I definitely think "slyness" is a better choice of word.

PhantomOG

He admits bankrolling the operation but in the same breath he claims he did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels. :rolleyes:

I hope he never plays again but I imagine the NAACP coming in and pressuring the NFL. They are already spinning for his return and "rehabilitation".

zombie boy 2000

He'll be back. I really do believe that. This latest revision of his plea is a chess move against Goodell. Again... the judge doesn't have to accept it. He might be so bowled over by the implausibility of simultaneously bankrolling an entire operation while refusing to accept any of its "profits" that this might blow up in Vick's face.

It's a sly move, but it's also a gamble. Pun intended. Maybe.

cindy100

He deserves everything he gets for what he has done. I feel he is guilty and as involved as the others. A girl I work with lived right behind him and she says there were always puppies at his home, tied up in the back yard and were not taken care of. She says they never became full grown dogs and I guess we now know why. The authorities were called twice by her and nothing was done.

I do hope his career is forever ruined for what he has done to those poor dogs. I have no use for anyone who can mistreat an animal.

cfrizz

Amen Cindy!

frreo1

The justice system is out of kilter. Yes, Michael Vick deserves to answer for his actions, but compared to other stories out there, it's getting a little out of proportion.
There was a guy in MD who was let off on child rape charges supposedly because there was not a interpreter available. The DA was so angry about the outcome, he blew the whistle on that phony story.

There recently were two women who killed their husbands and got away with it (one in MA, one in KY). Guess they decided against divorce, and chose murder instead.

I think crimes against people deserve more punishment than crimes against animals. (especially crimes against children)

If people get too worked up about punishing Vick, the questions of proportionality will be asked. The sad thing about all this is this guy had it all going for him, and he threw it all away.

bobman1235

Just because justice doesn't work for some people doesn't mean others should get away with things for "proportionality". He did something wrong, he should be punished. If Joe Schmoe got off on something else, then something is wrong there, we shouldn't make it worse by propagating it out through the entire justice system.

wingnut4772

bobman1235 wrote: »

Just because justice doesn't work for some people doesn't mean others should get away with things for "proportionality". He did something wrong, he should be punished. If Joe Schmoe got off on something else, then something is wrong there, we shouldn't make it worse by propagating it out through the entire justice system.

Can I get an Amen?!

frreo1

I do not disagree with you. As I stated before, Vick deserves to answer for his actions, and should be punished.

The issues I was attempting to cover was that his punishment should be proportional to the crime. There has been a tendency towards the sensational about this story, because of who he is.

By the way, we should not accept the fact that justice does not work for some people passively. Each one of us has a civic duty to vote these dunderheads that skew justice out of office.

ZombiesCuz

I don't mean to step on loony PETA toes, but were the masses accusing him of killing humans or dogs? Why is this even getting this kind of reaction out of human beings? Even if he did indeed bankroll the operation, he was more than likely smart enough to stay out of the day to day routines of the system.
The media has merely drummed up the masses (YOU) into believing his role was that of serial murderer. Everyone should step back and actually think if you ever presumed innocence. You are no better than people bottle feeding this crap to you if you aren't at least open to the possibility than something was exaggerated or that you don't actually know ANY details about the case.

Please lets just end this thread now, out of self-respect for yourselves.

frreo1

Spoken like a true Falcons Fan!

If you read the threads, I was trying to point out that people should try to keep this in proportion compared to crimes committed against people.

There are actually quite a bit of details already out there on the case, so one should not be so self righteous.

It IS an important story, and children should be made aware of all the facts, and realize that some of this hip hop culture can get you into a world of trouble. This guy blew up his life over something that he should not have been involved with. That's what is important. Kids need to know this.

I do think some people are blowing it out of proportion.

bobman1235

ZombiesCuz wrote: »

I don't mean to step on loony PETA toes, but were the masses accusing him of killing humans or dogs? Why is this even getting this kind of reaction out of human beings? Even if he did indeed bankroll the operation, he was more than likely smart enough to stay out of the day to day routines of the system.
The media has merely drummed up the masses (YOU) into believing his role was that of serial murderer. Everyone should step back and actually think if you ever presumed innocence. You are no better than people bottle feeding this crap to you if you aren't at least open to the possibility than something was exaggerated or that you don't actually know ANY details about the case.

Please lets just end this thread now, out of self-respect for yourselves.

Idiot. He signed a statement today stating he was directly involved with the murder of dogs. IF that doesn't upset you at all, then I'm sorry for you. The details of the case tell the tale of a sociopath, pure and simple. Someone who has no morals or basic decency,and should learn how to function in society or leave it forever.

shack

ZombiesCuz wrote: »

I don't mean to step on loony PETA toes, but were the masses accusing him of killing humans or dogs? Why is this even getting this kind of reaction out of human beings? Even if he did indeed bankroll the operation, he was more than likely smart enough to stay out of the day to day routines of the system.
The media has merely drummed up the masses (YOU) into believing his role was that of serial murderer. Everyone should step back and actually think if you ever presumed innocence. You are no better than people bottle feeding this crap to you if you aren't at least open to the possibility than something was exaggerated or that you don't actually know ANY details about the case.

Please lets just end this thread now, out of self-respect for yourselves.

Who the hell are you to come in here preaching?

cfrizz

Look moron, domesticated animals like dogs & cats have a special place in our society as companions, freinds, protectors, etc. They have feelings both emotional & physical & should not be treated in such a disposible manner. Especially not to feed & satisfy some sick destructive tendencies and GREED in men!

If you can't understand this, then maybe you need to be put in a pit with one of these abused dogs & let them have a go at you! ****!

dragon1952

ZombiesCuz wrote: »

I don't mean to step on loony PETA toes, but were the masses accusing him of killing humans or dogs? Why is this even getting this kind of reaction out of human beings? Even if he did indeed bankroll the operation, he was more than likely smart enough to stay out of the day to day routines of the system.
The media has merely drummed up the masses (YOU) into believing his role was that of serial murderer. Everyone should step back and actually think if you ever presumed innocence. You are no better than people bottle feeding this crap to you if you aren't at least open to the possibility than something was exaggerated or that you don't actually know ANY details about the case.

Please lets just end this thread now, out of self-respect for yourselves.

This goes to show you...some people put absolutely no value on animals lives. This guy probably thinks there's no problem with sticking a firecracker up a cat's butt and lighting it. Or the story of the sea turtle recently where the low-life tried to cut it out of it's shell and then threw it against a brick wall. What the hell huh....all in good fun. How has anything been exaggerated? Everyone involved has admitted it. "The masses" don't need to be "drummed up" by anyone. Believe me, anyone with half a brain doesn't need anyone telling them what pathetic pieces of **** these people are. Jeez, what a freakin' dumbass. :rolleyes:

Systems

PhantomOG wrote: »

I imagine the NAACP coming in and pressuring the NFL. They are already spinning for his return and "rehabilitation".

Yep I bet Jesse Jackson will be crusading for this numb nut.

cindy100

ZombiesCuz wrote: »

I don't mean to step on loony PETA toes, but were the masses accusing him of killing humans or dogs? Why is this even getting this kind of reaction out of human beings? Even if he did indeed bankroll the operation, he was more than likely smart enough to stay out of the day to day routines of the system.
The media has merely drummed up the masses (YOU) into believing his role was that of serial murderer. Everyone should step back and actually think if you ever presumed innocence. You are no better than people bottle feeding this crap to you if you aren't at least open to the possibility than something was exaggerated or that you don't actually know ANY details about the case.

Please lets just end this thread now, out of self-respect for yourselves.

I am not a loony. Caring what happened to those dogs is called having compassion. You should try it. Considering he got caught, I'd have to say he's not as smart as he thought he was.

ZombiesCuz

Okay, well I wasn't defending his actions, whatever they were. Just bringing about the possibility of reasonable doubt. I suppose that makes me a bad person for believing someone has the right to be presumed innocent. Maybe one of you were in grand jury and know something that I don't.
As to the point of being a sociopath, you are blowing my position out of the water. I am definitely not backing down from what I said and I just frankly can't equate the death of a human with the death of an animal, malicious or not. That doesn't mean I didn't grieve for my first dog whose body became riddled with cancer or feel horrible that my beloved cat ran out of my front door and never came home but society, along with the elected government, assess it a lesser penatly.
If you people care that strongly about the whole issue, grassroot the ****, put some people who believe as you do into congress.

cfrizz

Not quite Phantom. The head of the NAACP Atlanta branch is saying one thing, & the president of the organization is saying another.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2007-08-22-4119088534_x.htm

Regardless, this has generated enough publicity that the NFL would be smart to cut thier losses with this loser otherwise it could put a taint on the entire sport.

Letting him continue to play would basically be condoning what he did & that would outrage a great many people.

PhantomOG wrote: »

They are already spinning for his return and "rehabilitation".

cfrizz

UH hello, HE IS PLEADING GUILTY!!!:rolleyes:

ZombiesCuz wrote: »

Just bringing about the possibility of reasonable doubt.

ZombiesCuz

Pleading guilty to illegal interstate commerce from dog fighting, yeah he is pleading guilty to that.
I hope he never does play again, he is a horrible passer and detrements the game with his college quaterback skill and high school quarterback size.

bobman1235

ZombiesCuz wrote: »

Pleading guilty to illegal interstate commerce from dog fighting, yeah he is pleading guilty to that.
I hope he never does play again, he is a horrible passer and detrements the game with his college quaterback skill and high school quarterback size.

His statement to the court specifically says that he killed dogs in horrific ways. Everyone involved said he was involved. It happened on his property that he was KNOWN TO FREQUENT. There's a reason it's called reasonable doubt - it's doubt that's REASONABLE. No reasonable, thinking person could ever think that he was completely innocent. At the very least he knew what was going on and let it continue for YEARS. Considering the horrific stories and horrific PICTURES to come out of this story, that's enough for any reasonable person to assume guilt.

DarqueKnight

dorokusai wrote: »

Prison will be a walk in the park for him. If someone thinks he's gonna get pounded in the ****, you watch to many movies. He was a infamous thug out here, he'll be famous thug in there.

Absolutely. He still has his millions...and with that money he can afford the best of protection...and what ever else he wants the guards or warden to smuggle into prison for him. Prison wardens all over Georgia are hoping and praying that they will be the one to get to work for Mr. Vick and provide him with a deluxe rehabilitative experience.

sbpolk

Very smart move on Vicks part. He was facing a superceding indictment on Monday of this week, and on Friday worked a plea with the AUSA.

It is highly likely that the superceding would have indicted him for ITAR, Interstate Transportation in Aid of Racketeering. That, my friends, a RICO predicate offense. The insterstate transport of funds in aid of Racketeering is very serious, read the statutes. It is organized crime folks, plain and simple. In conjuction with ITAR and RICO charges, he would have been pinned with money laundering, since financial transactions were taking place with procedes from an SUA (Specified Unlawful Activity) under federal law, i.e. ITAR and Racketeering. This doesn't take into account any Title 26 USC charges, like Tax Evasion and Filing False Returns. I imagine he would have been looking at those too. In addition, he would have been facing seizure and forfeiture of any assets that money touched. Cars, homes, bank accounts, gold watches. The folks that investigate these crimes are the best in the world.

His plea will likely get him 12-18 months. If he pled straight up to ITAR, RICO, and Money Luandering, under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, I believe he could have been looking at 10-12 YEARS.

The RICO and Money Laundering statutes were passed by congress to fight organized crime, and to provide MUCH stiffer penalties than the underlying crimes. In addition, these laws were passed to be an avenue by which the criminals involved in these activies would be deprived of the fruits of their crimes.

The dog stuff was bad, but in reality, on the federal level, the financial crime aspect is much more serious. That is why he is looking at a year, rather than double digit years.

K, now everyone can sleep well at night!

sbpolk

BTW, I forgot to mention. The Feds have a felony conviction rate that hovers somewhere around 90-94%. Most people staring down the barrell of a possible 5-6 year sentence, let alone something 10+, if convicted by a jury of their peers, jump at a chance for a one year plea.

The AUSAs like it, because they can get a conviction and a case off their desk in a short period of time, and move on to the next one. No one likes to go to trial, not the US Attorney's Office, not the Crim defense attorney, and not the target (subject, defendant, perp, whatever you want to call him.)

In a Federal Grand Jury investigation, the "suspect" is called a Target. A fitting name for Mr. Vick, who used his dogs for target practice, don't you think?

sbpolk

DarqueKnight wrote: »

Absolutely. He still has his millions...and with that money he can afford the best of protection...and what ever else he wants the guards or warden to smuggle into prison for him. Prison wardens all over Georgia are hoping and praying that they will be the one to get to work for Mr. Vick and provide him with a deluxe rehabilitative experience.

In a (Insert whatever state you chose to, here) State Pen, possibly. Not so much in a Federal Prison. BOP runs a pretty tight ship. Not perfect, for sure, but no backwoods hillbilly operation, that's for sure.

I am sure you meant that kindof tounge-in-cheek anyways.