Michael Vick’s saga is slowly coming to an end, at least the first part of it is. He is getting off relatively easy. By striking a deal he will avoid more serious charges. I am not convinced that he feels any remorse or understands why what he did was wrong.
(CNN) — NFL star Michael Vick has admitted that he and his co-defendants killed dogs that did not fight well in papers filed on Friday with a federal court in Virginia.
In a plea agreement, 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.”
The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Federal prosecutors agreed to ask for the low end of the sentencing guidelines.
In an additional statement of facts, signed by Vick and filed with the agreement, Vick admitted buying the property that was used for dogfighting but said he 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 stated. 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.'”
Vick also agreed that “collective efforts” by him and two others caused the deaths of at least six dogs.
In about April of this year, 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.
Ellie,
Endorsements are probably dead, but I wouldn’t call his NFL days finished just yet.
Anon,
His career is in jeopardy. As I said it is not officially over yet, but the Falcons can void his contract and seek to get some of his money back.
Benning,
Race should have nothing to do with it. White, Asian, Jewish- they’d all receive similar treatment. The question is whether his celebrity has resulted in a stiffer punishment.
Vick has torpedoed his NFL career and the lucrative endorsements that went with it. I’m sure his demise will be played up as a symbol of racism, but it isn’t. Cruelty to animals ain’t the same as off-color statements, and shouldn’t be treated the same.
Celebrities in trouble. Which of the following celebrities has committed the worse offense? a) Paris b) Bill Murray c) Lindsay d) Mel Gibson e) Michael Vick f) Nicole Richie
Vote at http://www.pollicious.com
Vick is getting off VERY easy should the judge accept his plea deal – which is very likely. It stinks that he can get off so lightly. I hope his career suffers because of this; he certainly won’t be hurting financially. It makes me sick to think about his lack of humanity.
Vick is indeed getting of light in the legal sense. However, I think his career is done. Coming back as a quarterback after as long an absence as he will have is next to impossible, and I can’t imagine he’ll receive any endorsements after this. Good!