Vick’s Plea Deal
I guess his lawyers looked at Pete Rose and “morality” clauses that NFL contracts must have because his plea deal to my mind effectively kills his career forever
(CNN) — NFL star Michael Vick has admitted that he and two of co-conspirators killed dogs that did not fight well in papers filed Friday with a federal court in Virginia.
NFL star Michael Vick is set to appear in court Monday. A judge will have the final say on a plea deal.
Vick said he would plead guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture” in a plea agreement filed at U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia.
The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, “full restitution, a special assessment and 3 years of supervised release,” the plea deal said.
Federal prosecutors agreed to ask for the low end of the sentencing guidelines.
“The defendant will plead guilty because the defendant is in fact guilty of the charged offense,” the plea agreement said.
Now what his lawyers wanted clear I’m sure was this
In an additional summary of facts, signed by Vick and filed with the agreement, Vick admitted buying pit bulls and the property used for training and fighting the dogs but did not bet on the fights or receive any of the money won.
“Most of the ‘Bad Newz Kennels’ operations and gambling monies were provided by Vick,” the official summary of facts said. Gambling wins were generally split between co-conspirators Tony Taylor, Quanis Phillips and sometimes Purnell Peace, it continued.
“Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds from the purses that were won by ‘Bad Newz Kennels.’ “
But I think they were so blinded by fear of gambling allegations that they really didn’t realize the full potential of this
Vick also agreed that “collective efforts” by him and two others caused the deaths of at least six dogs.
Around April, Vick, Peace and Phillips tested some dogs in fighting sessions at Vick’s property in Virginia, the statement said. “Peace, Phillips and Vick agreed to the killing of approximately 6-8 dogs that did not perform well in ‘testing’ sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road and all of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning.
“Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts of Peace, Phillips and Vick,” the summary said.
You know what? The American Public can forgive womanizing, drinking, hell gambling on games you play, whatever.
But no one will ever forgive a bastard who hangs and drowns dogs because they aren’t vicious enough.
He will never play again.
He will never be a spokesman for anything. Ever.
Vick and his partners should be fed to a pack of pit bulls. Any leftover remains should be fed to pigs.
You’re right. He’s done. Those saying he’ll play again in the NFL are out of their minds. What owner in the don’t-rock-the-boat NFL would divide their team and their fans, tolerate the swift and certain public outrage, and risk losing sponsors to give him a chance? The superstar-in-the-making, potential-out-the-wazoo 20yd old kid out of Virginia Tech might have gotten a second chance. The 29-30-31-32yr old convict out of prison, whose potential never quite materialized, will never get another chance.
And as soon as he walks out of Club Fed, it’ll hopefully be into the waiting tender mercies of the Commmonwealth of Virginia, who’ll make him wish the US Attorney had asked for the max.
“”Most of the ‘Bad Newz Kennels’ operations and gambling monies were provided by Vick,” the official summary of facts said. Gambling wins were generally split between co-conspirators…”
So, he paid up for all the losses and never took any winnings. Riiiight. I might have been born yesterday, but it was really, really early in the morning.