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Source:
Atlanta Journal Consitution - July 30, 2007
8/29/07
Michael Vick: Now The Hypocrisy Begins
8/22/07
Make Vick Pay
Grim details emerge as Vick's
co-defendants plead guilty
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2978715
Vick likely to face state charges
in alleged dogfighting ring
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2979518
Vick must decide whether to accept
plea agreement
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2972161
Report: Michael Vick Offered Plea
Deal, Has Until Friday to Take It
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293172,00.html
Vick's now on defense
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/michael_vick.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-07-26-700.html
On Monday, 8/27/07, Michael Vick appeared
before Judge Hudson who questioned Mr. Vick
to ensure he understood the plea bargain
being submitted to the Court.
Now the hypocrisy begins.
First, Michael Vick uses his considerable
resources to buy the best legal finagling
money can buy. Shortly thereafter we see an
orchestrated program including expressions
of support from other black athletes and the
NAACP and SCLC, a confession that isn't, and
remarks by Falcon team owner Arthur Blank
describing Vick's heinous behavior over the
last six years (and longer if Vick's father
is to be believed) as "the incident", and
last we are told by Vick that he has found
the Lord.
What does this mean?
It means the brutalization and killing of
trusting creatures is trumped by the mores
of money and big sports business.
It means that illegal gambling is somehow
being ignored.
It means that the people behind Michael Vick
are relying on a mindless fan base to put
aside any thoughts of making an example of
Vick's immorality, returning the focus
instead to the entertainment value of
professional sports and the simultaneous but
less forthright effort to salvage some value
from Vick.
Did you listen to what Michael Vick said?
To whom did he apologize first? His
family? No, it was to his team - to the
deep pockets.
Did you hear what Mr. Blank said? He
thought it might make everyone feel good to
suspend or release Vick, but it wouldn't be
good for the "franchise".
Was that money talking? What about the
dogs? What about the mores? What about the
awful behavior and its examplar value?
Michael Vick is sorry. You bet he's sorry.
He's sorry he got caught. After years of
dogfighting, and after only four (4!) months
since he last killed a dog in the most
horrible way for not measuring up, he's now
sorry. Yes, sorry he got caught.
If we are content to allow this to happen
and do nothing, then there will be other
lowbrow "culture" imports, and more
dogfighting and gambling, and nothing will
have changed - except that dogs will have
been officially denigrated and professional
athletes taught that thumbing their noses at
the world is perfectly acceptable.
This is what counts: Vick killed in the
most evil and deliberate way. He tortured.
And he lied to his employer and the world.
And the calm after the storm suggests this
is now over. Contrition rules. We await
sentencing for Michael Vick, but it is time
now to doze off.
If you have a sense of moral outrage at this
as we do, do something about it.
1. Write to Michael Vick telling him what
you think of his second coming.
(NOTE: addresses below)
2. Write to Arthur Blank telling him what
you will do about supporting his Atlanta
Falcons.
3. Write a letter to Roger Goodell, the
Commissioner of the NFL, and tell him what
you think about the code of conduct for the
NFL.
4. Write letters to your local papers
about this and what you want to have happen.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY, make a
difference wherever you live. Every
sheriff, police chief, commonwealth
attorney, etc., in Virginia (or wherever you
live) should be asked about animal fighting
in their jurisdiction in the last three
years.
Ask how many cases (or suspected cases) have
been reported.
Ask for the case numbers so you can see for
yourself what the cases were about.
Ask what happened to those cases including
in which court the cases were heard.
Ask what happened to those convicted, and if
not convicted, why not.
And when you get the answers, shout them
out. Get them to the paper. If they are
good reports, we cheer with you. If they
are not, we will work with you. If you get
no response, that tells you a lot, and we
will help you.
Can Michael Vick be saved? Yes, but not by
apologies or promises.
Let Michael Vick perform first and ask
forgiveness later.
Let him - from afar and without being able
to so much as smell a dog - give and do good
in the manner of Bob Barker and Dave
Duffield, the PeopleSoft entrepreneur who
established Maddie's Fund.
Let Michael Vick cooperate fully with the
federal prosecutors, naming names of others
involved in illegal activities, whether
dogfighting related or not.
Until this is done, Michael Vick should be
banished - disappeared - ignored -
ostracized.
It isn't too late for Vick, but it is surely
too late for his victims.
Lillian Clancy/Don Marro
Virginia Voters for Animal
Welfare/Virginians for Animal Welfare
addresses:
Michael Vick:
ADavis@AMBFO.com
This email is for the administrative
assistant for Arthur Blake.
To get an email to Michael Vick, in the
subject line, write: Please Deliver To
Michael Vick
Arthur Blank, Owner of the Atlanta Falcons:
ADavis@AMBFO.com
This email is for the administrative
assistant for Arthur Blake. Apparently Mr.
Blank's name does not to be in the subject
line; send to this address and he will
receive your message.
Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner
email:
GoodellR@nfl.com
or
Roger.Goodell2@nfl.net
|
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12/10/07 -
-
Vick
Sentenced to 23 Months in Prison
-
By LARRY O'DELL,AP
Posted: 2007-12-10 11:51:37
-
RICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 10) - Michael Vick
was sentenced to 23 months in prison
Monday for his role in a dogfighting
conspiracy that involved gambling and
killing pit bulls.The suspended Atlanta
Falcons quarterback could have been
sentenced up to five years by U.S.
District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick,
who turned himself in Nov. 19 in
anticipation of his sentence, was
wearing a black-and-white striped prison
suit.
After Vick apologized to the court and
his family, Hudson told him: "You need
to apologize to the millions of young
people who looked up to you."
"Yes, sir," Vick answered.
Vick acknowledged he used "poor
judgment" and added, "I'm willing to
deal with the consequences and accept
responsibility for my actions."
Federal rules governing time off for
good behavior could reduce Vick's prison
stay by about three months, resulting in
a summer 2009 release.
Before the hearing started, Michael
Vick's brother, Marcus Vick, sat with
his right arm around their mother,
comforting her as she buried her head in
her hands and wept.
Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting
he bankrolled the "Bad Newz Kennels"
dogfighting operation and helped kill
six to eight dogs. He has been held at a
jail in Warsaw, Va., since he
voluntarily began serving his sentence.
In a plea agreement, he admitted
bankrolling the dogfighting ring on his
15-acre property in rural southeastern
Virginia and helping kill pit bulls that
did not perform well in test fights. He
also admitted providing money for bets
on the fights but said he never shared
in any winnings.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank called the
sentencing "another step in his legal
journey."
"This is a difficult day for Michael's
family and for a lot of us, including
many of our players and fans who have
been emotionally invested in Michael
over the years," Blank said.
"We sincerely hope that Michael will use
this time to continue to focus his
efforts on making positive changes in
his life, and we wish him well in that
regard."
At a news conference after pleading
guilty last summer, Vick apologized to
the NFL, the Falcons and youngsters who
viewed him as a role model and vowed: "I
will redeem myself."
Court papers revealed gruesome details
about Vick's dogfighting operation,
including the execution of
underperforming dogs by electrocution,
drowning, hanging and other means. Those
details prompted a public backlash
against the once-popular NFL star and
outraged animal-rights groups, which
used the case to call attention to the
brutality of dogfighting.
Vick was suspended without pay by the
NFL and lost all his lucrative
endorsement deals.
Two of Vick's co-defendants were
sentenced Nov. 30. Purnell Peace of
Virginia Beach got 18 months, Quanis
Phillips of Atlanta 21 months. Another
co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be
sentenced Friday.
The case began in April when a drug
investigation of Vick's cousin led
authorities to the former Virginia Tech
star's Surry County property, where they
found dozens of pit bulls - some of them
injured - and equipment associated with
dogfighting.
Vick initially denied any knowledge
about dogfighting on the property. He
changed his story after the three
co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed
to cooperate with the government.
By 8 a.m. Monday, about 50 people were
in line outside the courthouse waiting
for the doors to open. About two dozen
animal rights activists stood across the
street holding posters showing injured
pit bulls and the messages, "Report
Dogfighters" and "Dogs Deserve Justice."
"We want to make sure the focus on the
animals in this case isn't lost," said
Dan Shannon, spokesman for People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Julia Novak arrived with her small
beagle, Frankie, who wore a sandwich
board with the message on one side:
"Dogfighters use dogs like me for bait."
Ryan Eanes, 27, of Richmond, wore his
No. 7 Vick jersey as he waited in line.
"We all make mistakes," Eanes said. "I
don't support the situation with the
animals, but I support him. I believe
his apology is sincere."
12/7/07 - RESCUES AND SANCTUARIES TO
RECEIVE VICK DOGS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RESCUES THAT ARE
RECEIVING THE VICK DOGS....AND TO REBECCA
HUSS FOR HER FABULOUS WORK IN SELECTING
THESE EXCELLENT FACILITIES FOR THEIR
EXPERTISE!
This is the final list of where all the dogs
are going and how much each shelter is
receiving.
http://www.valpo.edu/law/news/120407.php
11-28-07
Vick to Pay $1 Million for Dog Care
CNN
Posted: 2007-11-28 13:28:23
(Nov. 28) - Former NFL quarterback
Michael Vick has agreed to pay nearly $1
million for the care of about 54 pit
bulls found on his property during a
dogfighting raid.
His lawyer William R. Martin said in
court documents that Vick will deposit
$928,073.04 by Friday to an escrow
account.
The money is "to be used to pay whatever
restitution money is ultimately ordered
in this case," states the document,
known as a consent order.
The order was filed a week after federal
prosecutors asked a federal court in
Virginia to order Vick -- also known as
"Ookie" -- to keep that much money on
hand to cover the dogs' care.
Vick had agreed under his plea agreement
to pay "restitution for the full amount
of the costs associated with the
disposition of all dogs" in the case.
Those costs, Vick agreed, could include
"the long-term care and/or the humane
euthanasia of some or all of those
animals." They were seized from the Bad
Newz Kennels on his property in Surry
County, Virginia.
Prosecutors pointed in court documents
to Vick's deteriorating financial
condition. Among the points cited:
- The Atlanta Falcons' attempt to recoup
bonus money from his 10-year, $130
million 2004 football contract
- Vick's alleged default on a $1.3
million bank loan for a wine store
- Another bank's lawsuit seeking payment
for default on a $2.5 million line of
credit
- A third bank's lawsuit seeking at
least $2 million for loans related to a
car-rental business.
"In addition, published reports also
indicate that Vick is in the process of
selling assets, specifically a suburban
Atlanta home listed at $4.5 million,"
the court papers said.
Vick, 27, surrendered November 19 to
federal authorities to get a jump start
on the sentence for his August guilty
plea to a federal conspiracy charge of
bankrolling a dogfighting operation.
He is being held at Northern Neck
Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia, until
an upcoming sentencing hearing.
Vick pleaded guilty to the federal
charge after three associates admitted
their own roles in the operation and
agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
The quarterback, who has been suspended
indefinitely by NFL Commissioner Roger
Goodell, faces 12 to 18 months in prison
on the conspiracy charge.
On September 25, a Virginia grand jury
indicted Vick and the three
co-defendants on state charges of
running a dogfighting ring.
The Surry County grand jury brought two
felony charges against the four men: one
count of unlawfully torturing and
killing dogs and one of promoting
dogfights. Each could result in a
five-year prison term.
A trial on the state charges has been
set for April.
CNN's Eric Fiegel contributed to this
report.
11/20/07
Vick Surrenders to
U.S. Marshals
By KRISTEN GELINEAU and DIONNE WALKER,
Associated Press
Posted: 2007-11-20 05:26:54
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Michael Vick
surrendered to U.S. marshals three weeks
before he was to be sentenced for a
federal dogfighting charge, and a legal
expert said it's unclear whether the
move will soften his punishment.
"It's kind of like reading tea leaves
knowing what's the exact impact on the
judge," said Ronald Bacigal, a
University of Richmond law professor who
specializes in criminal law and criminal
procedure.
Vick pleaded guilty in August to a
federal dogfighting conspiracy charge
after his three co-defendants pleaded
guilty and agreed to cooperate with
authorities.
Federal sentencing guidelines suggest he
could expect to serve a year to 18
months, but Vick, who has admitted
bankrolling the Bad Newz Kennels, faces
a maximum of five years in prison.
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback is
scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10 but
worked out a deal "to voluntarily enter
custody prior to his sentencing
hearing," according to a court document.
Vick's lawyer, Billy Martin, explained
the unexpected move as yet another step
in the disgraced star's public
repentance for his involvement in a
bloody dogfighting ring.
"From the beginning, Mr. Vick has
accepted responsibility for his actions,
and his self-surrender further
demonstrates that acceptance," Martin
said in a statement. "Michael wants to
again apologize to everyone who has been
hurt in this matter, and he thanks all
of the people who have offered him and
his family prayers and support during
this time."
The order filed in U.S. District Court
said Vick was taken into custody Monday
"based solely on his desire to begin his
period of incarceration prior to his
sentencing hearing and not because of
violation of any condition of his bond."
In an e-mail sent to the AP, the U.S.
attorney's office confirmed Vick's
surrender but declined further comment.
Vick's troubles began in April when
authorities conducting a drug
investigation of a cousin seized dozens
of dogs, most of them pit bulls, from a
Surry County property, along with
equipment linked to dogfighting.
It's there that the dogfighting
enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels
operated since 2001 on 15 acres of land
Vick owned.
Suspended indefinitely by the NFL
without pay, Vick solemnly apologized
for his actions before cameras in late
August - only to gain more negative
attention when he tested positive in
September for marijuana, a violation of
U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson's
order that Vick stay clean in exchange
for being allowed to be free.
Vick is also being sued for more than $4
million by banks claiming he defaulted
on loans and might have to repay nearly
$20 million in NFL signing bonus money.
The gruesome details outlined in the
federal indictment - dogs were hanged,
drowned and electrocuted - fueled a
public backlash against the Falcons'
star player and cost him several
lucrative endorsement deals, even before
he agreed to plead guilty.
In his written plea, Vick admitted
helping kill six to eight pit bulls and
supplying money for gambling on the
fights. He said he did not personally
place any bets or share in any winnings,
but merely associating with gambling can
result in a lifetime ban under the NFL's
personal conduct policy.
Vick and his co-defendants also face
state felony charges. Vick has been
charged with two state felonies -
beating or killing or causing dogs to
fight other dogs and engaging in or
promoting dogfighting. Each felony is
punishable by up to five years in
prison.
Vick is being held at Northern Neck
Regional Jail in Warsaw until his
sentencing, U.S. marshals told The
Associated Press. The mixed-gender
facility houses about 450 inmates.
Bacigal said Vick may have surrendered
in an attempt to show the judge he's
taken responsibility for his mistakes -
but there are no real direct legal
benefits to the move.
"I don't think there's any benefits
except getting (the sentence) started,"
Bacigal said. "I would think he's purely
thinking about timing as far as when he
can get back to his football."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.
The information contained in the AP
news report may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or otherwise
distributed without the prior written
authority of The Associated Press.
Active hyperlinks have been inserted
by AOL.
11/20/2007 05:04 ET
9/25/07
Michael Vick Hit With Local Indictments
SUSSEX, Va. (AP) - Michael Vick, already
looking at a federal prison term for
bankrolling a dogfighting operation in
rural Virginia, now faces two state
charges that could get him more prison
time if he's convicted.
After a Surry County grand jury indicted
the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and
three co-defendants Tuesday, Vick's
lawyers indicated they will fight the
state charges on the grounds that he
can't be convicted twice of the same
crime.
The NFL star, scheduled for sentencing
Dec. 10 after pleading guilty to federal
dogfighting conspiracy charges, faces
state charges of beating or killing or
causing dogs to fight other dogs and
engaging in or promoting dogfighting.
Each felony is punishable by up to five
years in prison. Arraignments are set
for Oct. 3.
The grand jury declined to indict the
27-year-old Vick and two co-defendants
on eight additional counts of killing or
causing to be killed a companion animal,
felonies that would have exposed them to
as many as 40 years in prison if
convicted.
Vick defense attorney Billy Martin said
in a statement that the state counts
concern "the same conduct covered by the
federal indictment for which Mr. Vick
has already accepted full
responsibility."
Martin said he will "aggressively
protect his rights to ensure that he is
not held accountable for the same
conduct twice."
Vick was convicted of a federal
conspiracy count while the state
indictment deals with the act of dog
fighting, said Steven Benjamin, a
Richmond defense lawyer who is not
involved in the case. The prosecution
will argue that's enough of a difference
to allow the charges to proceed, he
said.
Surry County Commonwealth's Attorney
Gerald G. Poindexter had told The
Associated Press on Monday night that he
would seek indictments on different
crimes than the ones Vick admitted to in
federal court. He did not elaborate to
reporters outside court Tuesday.
The charges are the first leveled
against Vick in the county where he
built a home that became the base of the
dogfighting operation, where local
investigators first uncovered evidence
of the enterprise.
None of the defendants nor their lawyers
were at the Sussex County courthouse,
where the grand jury met because the
courthouse in neighboring Surry County
is closed for renovations.
Poindexter told reporters he was not
disappointed the grand jury passed on
the eight additional dog killing counts.
"I'm just glad to get this to the
position where it is now and, one day in
the not too distant future, we will be
rid of these cases," he said.
In a written statement, Poindexter and
Sheriff Harold Brown attempted to
diffuse in advance any suggestion that
race influenced the grand jury. Brown,
Poindexter and the four defendants are
black, as are four of the six grand
jurors.
"These are serious charges, and we can
assure you that this grand jury was not
driven by racial prejudice, their
affection or lack of affection for
professional athletes, or the influence
of animal rights activists and the
attendant publicity," the statement
said.
In pleading guilty to the federal
charges last month, Vick admitted
helping kill six to eight dogs, among
other things. He faces up to five years
in prison.
Vick's co-defendants had pleaded guilty
earlier and detailed Vick's role in the
grisly enterprise.
In the state case, co-defendant Purnell
Peace was indicted on one count of
beating or killing or causing dogs to
fight other dogs and one count of
engaging in or promoting dogfighting.
Quanis Phillips was indicted on one
count of engaging in or promoting
dogfighting.
Tony Taylor, who left the enterprise
several years ago and was the first to
plead guilty, faces the most serious
state charges - three counts of beating
or killing or causing dogs to fight
other dogs and one count of engaging in
or promoting dogfighting.
Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said
the team had no comments on the new
charges.
The case began in late April when
authorities conducting a drug
investigation of Vick's cousin raided
the former Virginia Tech star's property
and seized dozens of dogs, most of them
pit bulls, and equipment commonly
associated with dogfighting.
Six weeks later, with the local
investigation perceived to be dragging
and a local search warrant allowed to
expire, federal agents arrived with
their own search warrants and started
digging up dog carcasses buried days
before the first raid.
Poindexter, widely criticized for the
pace of the investigation, reacted
angrily when the feds moved in,
suggesting that Vick's celebrity was a
draw, or that their pursuit of the case
could have racial overtones. He later
eased off those comments, saying the
sides would simply be pursuing parallel
investigations.
Vick has been indefinitely suspended
without pay by the NFL and been dropped
by all his major sponsors, including
Nike.
Associated Press Writers Sonja Barisic
in Sussex County and Larry O'Dell in
Richmond contributed to this report.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The
information contained in the AP news
report may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten or otherwise distributed
without the prior written authority of
The Associated Press. All active
hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
09/25/07 19:31 EDT
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