Vick won't admit he killed dogs

Slimdust · 08-24-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will not admit to killing dogs or gambling on dog fights, as detailed in his indictment, when he enters a guilty plea in a Richmond, Va., federal court Monday, a source close to the case has told ESPN. Instead, the one count of conspiracy that Vick will plead to will admit guilt to the charge of interstate commerce for the purpose of dogfighting.

The source told ESPN that Vick's defense team met with federal attorneys Thursday afternoon to determine the "summary of facts" to which Vick will plead, and that his attorneys believed they had a deal. The source said Vick maintains he never killed dogs and never gambled on a dog fight.

He will admit he was present when dogs were killed, but that he did not personally kill any of the dogs.

The allegations of killing dogs and gambling were part of the picture painted by Vick's three co-defendants, all of whom have pleaded guilty.

Vick, 27, is scheduled to enter his plea agreement Monday and could face up to five years in prison.

Vick's co-defendants said Vick provided virtually all the gambling and operating funds for the Bad Newz Kennels enterprise. Two of them also said Vick participated in executing at least eight dogs seen as underperforming by various means, including drowning and hanging.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the terms are not final, told The Associated Press Wednesday that prosecutors will recommend a sentence of one year to 18 months. However, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson is not bound by that recommendation or by federal sentencing guidelines that will call for less than the five-year maximum.

It's still unclear whether all this will end the career of one of the NFL's most dazzling players.

Vick has been barred from training camp by the NFL, and commissioner Roger Goodell has asked the Falcons not to take any action until the league rules.

Goodell can suspend Vick under the NFL's personal conduct policy. While the league hasn't said whether a potential suspension would be concurrent with Vick's prison sentence, it probably would take effect once he is released from custody.

That means Vick likely would miss both the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

The Falcons in 2004 signed Vick to a 10-year, $130 million contract, at the time, one of the largest in NFL history. The bonus and guaranteed money he received in his contract totaled $44 million, and the team could try to reclaim part of that.

Vick has also lost lucrative contracts with sponsors. Rawlings, Nike, Reebok and Upper Deck are among the companies that have either ended contracts with him or stopped sales of his merchandise.

espn.com

I could understand why he would try to fight this, but this will probaby just get him into deeper trouble. This might bring his dog killing @ss in jail for a long long time.

Felix · 08-24-2007, 11:42 AM

Well, do you really think Vick HIMSELF killed the dogs in question? You would think with the money he had, he would have had people working for him that would have taken care of the dirty work. I haven't follow this alot, so it might have already been brought up as to testimony that he himself was the one killing these dogs... Either way, he's a douche for doing it himself, or even if he paid someone, or for that mater didn't pay someone but knew it was going on and did nothing to stop it.

Dmac · 08-24-2007, 11:53 AM

I have heard a little about this but what a sick bastard, enough said.

Dakstang · 08-24-2007, 12:18 PM

I think he was personally involved with the killings. Even if some of his friends did it and he watched he was still aware of what was going on and allowed it to happen on his propery.

For that he must pay.

Suntan Superman · 08-24-2007, 12:32 PM

You know just to be fair, how is this wrong, yet, people are allowed to race and breed horses for racing, and contests, and those die before they are ready mostly because of all the pushing they do. I'm in no way saying what Vick did is right, but, facts are facts

Slimdust · 08-24-2007, 12:41 PM

ok, that is like i heard someone say on the radio once.. People hunt deer, whats the difference?

Please, i dont even have to explain that one.

Ok, racing horses, some might consider it bad, but it isnt illegal and its not always KILLING the horse. Ok horse, i want you to race to the death, and if I dont like the way you did it i will shoot you in the head, or hang you. PLEASE!

This guy knew what he was doing, he knew it was wrong, he clearly has a problem, I dont understand. We all get upset about letting people like lohan off easy, and paris, but if a star athlete can do something like kill who knows how many dogs, we say this isnt right, and blah blah blah. I am sick of it.

I hate the argument of well look at this, and look at that. Ok, so there are some other bad things going around in the world today, doesnt mean we shouldnt crack down on something if we have it in front of us.

Do you want the judge to be like, Mr. Vick, what you did is wrong and stupid, but we have other bad things going on in the world today, like horse racing, or dog racing, or deer hunting, or us killing cows and other animals for food, so im going to let you go.

It makes me sick to even look at the dude.

Suntan Superman · 08-24-2007, 12:47 PM

Don't get me wrong, but Have you seen the training and what happens to horses who come out bred wrong? they're treated like shit. So which is worse? Treating an animal like shit, or just flat killing it so it isn't tortured? To me it's a dime a dozen. Again PLEASE REMEMBER I AM NOT CONDONING WHAT VICK DID, NOR DO I THINK HE SHOULD GET OFF EASY.

Felix · 08-24-2007, 12:50 PM

Don’t be too quick to judge
By Deion Sanders

Quote:

I would’ve never thought Mike Vick, one of the NFL’s most exciting players — the man who makes the network execs smile every time he plays — would ever be indicted for crimes against man’s best friend.

The potential impact could be devastating.

He could lose millions worth of endorsements. Nike has already suspended the release of his new shoe. He could lose millions he was supposed to get from the Atlanta Falcons, if the club decides to cut him. That’s unlikely, but it could happen if he’s convicted or makes a plea arrangement.

Or his reputation might wind up so stained that he’s never forgiven in the court of public opinion. That would be too bad for the 27-year-old superstar.

This is all the result of perspective.

What a dog means to Vick might be a lot different than what he means to you or I. Hold on, don’t start shaking your head just yet. Listen to me.

Some people kiss their dogs on the mouth. Some people let their dogs eat from their plate. Some people dress their dogs in suits more expensive than mine, if you can believe that.

And some people enjoy proving they have the biggest, toughest dog on the street. You’re probably not going to believe this, but I bet Vick loves the dogs that were the biggest and the baddest. Maybe, he identified with them in some way.

You can still choose to condemn him, but I’m trying to take you inside his mind so you can understand where he might be coming from.
I’m sure all of the animal activists and Humane Society folks have a dart board with Vick’s picture in the center of it. And if he plays this season, PETA is going to picket every stadium where he plays.

Still, I must ask the question: Where is all of this going?

By now you’ve read all of the accusations about the cruelty involving the dogs — and I’m not just talking about their duels to the death. All of that is enough to make me cringe because I have three highly-trained protection German shepherds, just in case someone wants to rob my family.

Believe me, you don’t want to deal with them. With one German command, our dog Yascho turns into Cujo. And for the record, I live around the corner from the police station, so it won’t take them long to show up and save you from the dogs.

Now back to Vick.

Why are we indicting him? Was he the ringleader? Is he the big fish? Or is there someone else? The fights allegedly occurred at a property that he purchased for a family member. They apparently found carcasses on the property, but I must ask you again, is he the ringleader?

This situation reminds me of a scene in the movie “New Jack City,” when drug dealer Nino Brown is on the witness stand and eloquently says, “This thing is bigger than me.”

Are we using Vick to get to the ringleader? Are we using him to bring an end to dogfighting in the United States?

The only thing I can gather from this situation is that we’re using Vick.

Was he wrong? Absolutely. Was he stupid? Can’t argue with that. Was he immature? No doubt. But is he the ringleader? I just can’t see it.

I believe Vick had a passion for dogfighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. It’s like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesn’t tap out when he knows he can’t win.

It reminds me of when I wore a lot of jewelry back in the day because I always wanted to have the biggest chain or the biggest, baddest car. It gives you status.

Can I pause for a moment to ask you a question?

Who shot Darrant Williams? Remember the Denver Bronco cornerback? I’m just more concerned about bringing to justice someone who killed a human. Or finding out who broke into Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker’s home, tied him up and robbed him at gunpoint.

We’re attacking this dogfighting ring the same way a teenager attacks his MySpace page after school (by the way parents, make sure you monitor your kids). We should have the same passion for man that we have for man’s best friend.

The reason this is turning into a three-ring circus is that baseball is boring, basketball is months away, football is around the corner and we in the media don’t have a thing interesting to write about.

How will this end up? I have no idea. All I know is Falcons fans better pray because Vick’s backup is Joey Harrington. Enough said.

God bless and God willing I’ll hollah at you next week.

— Deion Sanders, a North Fort Myers High School graduate, played in the NFL and Major League Baseball. He works as an analyst for the NFL Network and is part-owner of the Austin Wranglers of the Arena Football League.

Deion Sanders should probably shut his mouth before he makes himself look any more foolish. Him trying to convince people that Vick isn't a bad guy, and that him getting the boot is "too bad" is just rediculous.

Slimdust · 08-24-2007, 12:52 PM

i see what your saying, but in dog fighting they get tortured and they still have to fight. I dont understand how someone could watch two dogs fighting it out to the death, the crying and the torcher. All of that stuff is just beyond me.

Slimdust · 08-24-2007, 12:58 PM

wow, i just lost a lot of respect for prime time.

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Vick won't admit he killed dogs

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