Michael Vick Agrees to plead guilty

General Deathdealer · Post by **General Deathdealer** » 2007-08-20 02:34pm

Vick Agrees to Plead Guilty

By Mark Maske and Jerry Markon
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, August 20, 2007; 2:18 PM

Michael Vick has agreed to plead guilty to the federal dogfighting charges against him under a deal reached today between his attorneys and prosecutors.

The plea agreement is to be announced later today.

The terms of the plea deal were not immediately clear, but previous reports indicated that the two sides were discussing an arrangement by which Vick would spend about a year in jail.

The deal still must be approved by the judge in the case and could collapse at any point until then.

Vick's three co-defendants in the case previously agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the prosecution.

Vick was charged with helping to operate a dogfighting ring based at a property owned by him in southeastern Virginia. He'd been scheduled to go on trial Nov. 26.

NFL discipline against Vick remains pending. Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ordered Vick not to report to the Falcons' training camp and announced that Vick's playing status would be determined by a review being conducted by Washington attorney Eric Holder.

The federal indictment of Vick portrayed him as an active member of the dogfighting operation who attended and even traveled to dogfights, paid bets for losing fights and participated in the killing of dogs that didn't perform well.

About time he did something smart.

Post by **Coyote** » 2007-08-20 02:47pm

Coat the bastard with BBQ sauce and toss him in a pit with the dogs, I say.

Problem is, he'll probably get little time in prison. He's wealthy and famous, so he'll get put in a cushy single cell "for his own protection", serve a little courtesy time (couple years, max) then get out on "probation".

General Deathdealer · Post by **General Deathdealer** » 2007-08-20 02:50pm

I just hope that one of the charges he pleads guilty to is gambling. If he does that, then according to NFL policy, he will be banned for life.

Solauren · Post by **Solauren** » 2007-08-20 03:13pm

After which, he'll promptly be signed by a Professional Wrestling organization (Probably TNA)

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2007-08-20 03:44pm

What will Michael Vick's supporters say now?

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2007-08-20 03:58pm

What a damned shame. I have never been a big Vick fan, but I never like to watch someone throw away their life like that.

Fucking idiot.

FSTargetDrone · Post by **FSTargetDrone** » 2007-08-20 05:06pm

What a damned shame. I have never been a big Vick fan, but I never like to watch someone throw away their life like that.

It's a shame when something bad happens to someone who doesn't deserve it. He is not worthy of any pity. He went it fully cognizant of what he was doing.

A columnist from one of the Philadelphia papers wrote a column on Friday regarding these people who support him (no matter what):

Posted on Fri, Aug. 17, 2007

Elmer Smith

Defend Vick? How? Why?

IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO CUT HIS LOSSES - AND OURS

YOU CAN HEAR the angst in their voices as they call the talk-show hosts with the "other side" of the Michael Vick story.

"Don't cut me off," one begins, "but all this about animals . . . let's put it in perspective."

"It's wrong, I'll say that up front," another says. "But it's not fair to put a man in jail and end his career because of some dogs."

"If he did it," another says, "he deserves to be punished. I have a dog myself. But . . ."

But what?

Why should anyone feel compelled to defend someone involved in promoting and gambling on one of the most barbaric "sports" ever conceived?

How is it that even people who profess to love dogs and hate cruelty to animals struggle to rationalize the unfathomable horror of teaching dogs to destroy each other and then profiting from gambling on the outcomes of this blood spectacle?

No doubt, none of Vick's citizen advocates has taken the time to read the 19-page indictment with its gory details of dogs being maimed and slaughtered for fun and profit. It's a must-read for any of the apologists who don't understand why all this fuss about some dogs.

One of Vick's co-defendants is alleged to have disposed of a losing dog by "wetting the dog down and electrocuting the animal." At least one dog, the indictment alleges, was "body-slammed" to death.

But Vick's defenders are reading a different indictment, one that brings charges against a criminal-justice system that seems to operate under different rules for different defendants. In their minds, he deserves the benefit of doubts that have been built up over a long history of unequal justice.

Let me be clear. I agree completely with various public figures such as Vick friend Donovan McNabb and others who cautioned us against a rush to judg- ment and reminded us that he is innocent until . . .

Until now, apparently. With his friends lining up to sing the Will Tell Overture and virtually irrefutable evidence that a crime occurred in Vick's presence on his property, Vick's attorneys are looking to cut his losses with their own plea agreement.

That would be a wise move. Vick may face some jail time, but probably not much. He could be back in someone's training camp as early as next year.

Or maybe not. The Atlanta Falcons could decide to sue for the return of the $28 million signing bonus he got in the $130 million deal he signed last year. The NFL could decide to suspend him for more than two years, effectively ending his career.

But with eight witnesses against him, including two alleged co-conspirators and stacks of graphic evidence, he'd do well to cut his losses.

He could cut our losses, too. Every time we find ourselves rushing to defend a guy whose acts are indefensible, it blunts the impact of our defense of the truly innocent.

I rarely go more than a couple of months without writing about some guy who lost years of his life locked up for something he didn't do. More than 200 innocent men, including some who came within a whisker of being executed, have been released after DNA evidence proved they were innocent.

We will never know how many others are languishing in prison cells for crimes they didn't do because someone said they looked like the guy who did it. How many are on Death Row?

We will never know how many innocent men have been executed already for crimes they didn't do, and that's a horror that far exceeds even the barbarism involved in the Vick case.

But we can never seem to work up the same level of concern for them that many of us have for a Michael Vick. There's something very wrong with that.

"The only reason ya'll are making so much out of this," one caller said, "is because it's Michael Vick."

He's right, of course. But I would put the question back to him: Would you bother to call a talk show if this had been about an average guy caught up in the criminal-justice system?

To me, that's the other side of the Michael Vick story. *

Send e-mail to [email protected] or call 215-854-2512. For recent columns: http://go.philly.com/smith

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2007-08-20 07:30pm

FSTargetDrone wrote:
What a damned shame. I have never been a big Vick fan, but I never like to watch someone throw away their life like that.
It's a shame when something bad happens to someone who doesn't deserve it. He is not worthy of any pity. He went it fully cognizant of what he was doing.

Yes, and it's still too bad. It's too bad that he killed dogs. It's too bad he's going to sit in jail instead of doing something with his life. It's a waste of several lives, canine and human.

How is that not a shame? Because you want revenge? Even if we accept that you somehow have a claim to any revenge, how are these mutually exclusive?

Plekhanov · Post by **Plekhanov** » 2007-08-20 08:15pm

General Deathdealer wrote:I just hope that one of the charges he pleads guilty to is gambling. If he does that, then according to NFL policy, he will be banned for life.

Why what's so terrible about gambling that it's illegal or gets you banned from the NFL?

It's not as of he was betting that team he was playing for was going to lose or even on American Football at all.

FSTargetDrone · Post by **FSTargetDrone** » 2007-08-20 08:48pm

Howedar wrote:Yes, and it's still too bad. It's too bad that he killed dogs. It's too bad he's going to sit in jail instead of doing something with his life. It's a waste of several lives, canine and human.

How is that not a shame? Because you want revenge? Even if we accept that you somehow have a claim to any revenge, how are these mutually exclusive?

Where in this thread did I say or even imply that I want "revenge"?

I said he isn't deserving of any "pity" and that is a far cry from invoking "revenge." Furthermore, I haven't type a word about what I think his punishment might be.

Do I care that Vick is going to spend time in jail? Absolutely not. He brought this upon himself and the only pity I feel for anything in this situation is towards the still-living dogs that will likely be euthanized because no one can or will adopt them.

To hell with Vick. This isn't an accident or a case or poor judgment. He had so many opportunities to do anything he wanted. He had more money than he could spend and he was in want of nothing. He chose to associate himself and commit crimes with a gang of lowlifes. It's not like we're talking about some poor schmo who committed a minor drug offense and is looking at hard jail time. There are a lot of other people who have done far less and gotten more time.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2007-08-20 08:53pm

You're clearly missing the point entirely. I've pondered for a few minutes and I really can't think of a way to put it any differently. You obviously have some feeling on this issue, or you wouldn't post in this thread, so you either think that the situation is good or bad. Again, you obviously don't have a neutral thinking on this, or else you wouldn't be posting.

I'm saying it's unfortunate that Vick chose to throw away his life in this manner, and you respond that you have no pity. Do you take pleasure in watching people throw away their careers, their livelihoods, and their freedom?

Dark Flame · Post by **Dark Flame** » 2007-08-20 09:17pm

Not having pity does not mean that he derives pleasure from it. There's a pretty clear difference.

As for me, I"m glad he admitted to the charges, but I don't think his punishment should be shortened. He did the crime, and he got caught. He needs to pay the full price for that crime. And maybe if he does, it will send a message that money and fame won't get you out of paying for your crimes. However, I don't see any of this happening soon.

FSTargetDrone · Post by **FSTargetDrone** » 2007-08-20 09:20pm

Howedar wrote:You obviously have some feeling on this issue, or you wouldn't post in this thread, so you either think that the situation is good or bad.

How is any part of this whole sad story remotely good?

Again, you obviously don't have a neutral thinking on this, or else you wouldn't be posting.

Of course I have an opinion about this, as I do about every other topic I post or reply to. But just because I think he's a Bad Guy it doesn't follow that I think he should be abused or have some revenge exacted upon.

I'm saying it's unfortunate that Vick chose to throw away his life in this manner, and you respond that you have no pity. Do you take pleasure in watching people throw away their careers, their livelihoods, and their freedom?

Did Vick squander his talents? Did he throw it all away for some foolish and misguided undertaking? Of course. Do I care that he's going jail? Not in the least. You know it's entirely one thing to have no sympathy for some shitstain who's plead guilty to committing various criminal and brutal acts, and another entirely thing to revel or take pleasure in any misery he may suffer as a result.

Do I take pleasure in the fact that this guy might spend some time in prison? No. Do I want him to suffer and squirm, or say, hope he lives in mortal terror of being assaulted in prison by some guy who wants to make Hot Shit Michael Vick his plaything? Not at all.

Let me make it abundantly clear, my feelings on this issue. Vick is scum. He abused these dogs for kicks and now he's paying the price. Does it make me happy? No. The damage was done. He forced a bunch of harmless animals to fight each other to death for utterly atrocious reasons, and savagely killed those that didn't measure up. And somehow I supposed to feel bad for him? Please.

We get these threads of people doing Horrible Things and there's always a few posters who play tough guy and scream and rant about how they want Soandso Criminal to suffer some grievous injury or torture. I'm not doing that and you know it.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2007-08-20 10:21pm

FSTargetDrone wrote:
Howedar wrote:You obviously have some feeling on this issue, or you wouldn't post in this thread, so you either think that the situation is good or bad.
How is any part of this whole sad story remotely good?

It's not. I never claimed it is.

Red herring.

Again, you obviously don't have a neutral thinking on this, or else you wouldn't be posting.

Of course I have an opinion about this, as I do about every other topic I post or reply to. But just because I think he's a Bad Guy it doesn't follow that I think he should be abused or have some revenge exacted upon.[/quote]Way to miss the point.

Did Vick squander his talents? Did he throw it all away for some foolish and misguided undertaking? Of course. Do I care that he's going jail? Not in the least. You know it's entirely one thing to have no sympathy for some shitstain who's plead guilty to committing various criminal and brutal acts, and another entirely thing to revel or take pleasure in any misery he may suffer as a result.

I never said anything about sympathy.

Red herring.

Do I take pleasure in the fact that this guy might spend some time in prison? No. Do I want him to suffer and squirm, or say, hope he lives in mortal terror of being assaulted in prison by some guy who wants to make Hot Shit Michael Vick his plaything? Not at all.

Let me make it abundantly clear, my feelings on this issue. Vick is scum. He abused these dogs for kicks and now he's paying the price. Does it make me happy? No. The damage was done. He forced a bunch of harmless animals to fight each other to death for utterly atrocious reasons, and savagely killed those that didn't measure up. And somehow I supposed to feel bad for him? Please.

I never said anything about feeling bad for him.

Red herring.

We get these threads of people doing Horrible Things and there's always a few posters who play tough guy and scream and rant about how they want Soandso Criminal to suffer some grievous injury or torture. I'm not doing that and you know it.

All I know is that you're either completely unable to understand what I'm saying, or completely unable to respond in an honest manner. I'm not sure which.

Flagg · Post by **Flagg** » 2007-08-20 11:51pm

Darth Wong wrote:What will Michael Vick's supporters say now?

Probably that he's just pleading guilty to get as little time in jail as possible before he gets railroaded by the evil justice system that has it out for successful black men like Wesley Snipes, R Kelly, and OJ Simpson.

FSTargetDrone · Post by **FSTargetDrone** » 2007-08-21 12:13am

You started off by talking about my apparent feelings of "revenge," something I never even obliquely alluded to and from there it's gotten to be nothing but nitpicking about word choice. So I'll try to spell it out and make it clear how I honestly feel about this. I don't want there to be any misunderstanding of my feelings about this matter.

You have written that it's "too bad" and a "shame" that Vick has done this, right? That it is a "waste" of his talents and life. Can we agree on that? Have I gotten that part right, or is it something else I misunderstand? I realize you evidently feel I'm as thick as a post, but I want to be sure.

Because from where I'm standing, Vick, his associates and their actions are nothing but shameful. I don't care about the waste of his life. I don't think it's "too bad" at all that this has happed beyond the misery he has inflicted on those dogs who were forced to fight for his amusement. It's not even a consideration in my dim-witted little mind. I don't know how much more honestly, clearly or emphatically I can put it. All I know is that this is all on Vick's head and those of his fellow savages. He set it this horror show in motion, he participated in some of the most inhumane treatment directed towards animals that I've ever read about and he profited handsomely from it. He doesn't even have the excuse of committing a crime for some higher purpose, be it feeding his family or some other ultimately noble reason. It was all a game for him, good times, shits and giggles.

It's a real shame, it's truly too bad, and it's a genuine waste of a life when some poor, dumb kid strikes out for the third time and gets hit with a heavy sentence after committing a piddly little crime. That's the sort of guy I might feel bad for. But Vick? Vick doesn't have even that excuse. He deserves nothing but contempt. He played the game and it finally bit him hard on the ass.

"Too bad" for Vick? Hell no.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2007-08-21 12:51am

God in heaven, you really don't understand. It's not "it's too bad Vick is going to jail". It's "it's too bad Vick is a dumbshit who threw away his life".

I wish the man wasn't an idiot. I wish he hadn't done terrible things. That's in no way the same thing as saying I feel sorry for him, or that I think he shouldn't be heading for prison.

It's always too bad when someone does something stupid and screws up the world that extra little bit. It's too bad when someone decides that murder is a good idea. It was a shame when Kennith Lay decided to shitcan his company, his stockholders and his life when he decided to cheat. It's unfortunate each time some Muslim jackass decides the best way to serve his God is to kill someone. These are negative-sum games - both parties lose out, and the world is in every way worse off for it. It's a damned shame when people do these stupid fucking things.

That doesn't mean I feel sorry for them.

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2007-08-21 04:29am

The only people I feel sorry for are the Falcons organization and their fans. They put their hearts, souls and pocket books into this dumbass and he absolutely, completely let them all down. HARD.

He is a self centered, egotistical, dog killing prick. I hope he never plays another down in the NFL and doesn't get another penny from the Falcons.

The Spartan · Post by **The Spartan** » 2007-08-21 07:54am

Darth Wong wrote:What will Michael Vick's supporters say now?

According to the radio this morning: that we're just picking on him because he's black.

FSTargetDrone · Post by **FSTargetDrone** » 2007-08-21 01:08pm

Alright, I'll concede misunderstanding of your position, because for awhile there it seemed like you were giving Vick more consideration than he was due. Yes, it's a shame all those things happened, but it's also a shame that the families of Vick and those of the rest of those criminals are made to suffer for their actions. Their friends and colleagues who unquestioningly supported them are made to look foolish.

That said, I'll never understand those people (and I'm not directing this part at Howedar, before we get a misunderstanding there) who continue to be hangers-on, unflinchingly and unfailingly think people like Vick are getting a raw deal, just like those in the link Darth Wong added. I mean, what is the motivation of those people? What do they care about Vick?

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2007-08-21 04:44pm

I don't see how Vick "squandered" anything by doing this. The idea that he squandered or 'wasted" some kind of precious resource by doing this requires the assumption that he had some great value to begin with. What the fuck was he? Another asshole football player? Precisely what great value does that have for society? Does anyone really think that a guy who would do something like this was ever anything but an asshole?

Nothing of value is lost when this fucktard goes to prison. And the only thing that changed about Michael Vick when he started this dogfighting ring was that his assholery finally became legally actionable. The only shame here is that he will get out again and he'll still be rich.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2007-08-21 04:53pm

Darth Wong wrote:The only shame here is that he will get out again and he'll still be rich.

Not really. He'll have spent a decent clip of money in legal fees on this; and he's effectively unemployable now. His NFL career is essentially over. He might be able to get a job working for some cut rate football league, but not the NFL.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-08-21 05:12pm

MKSheppard wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:The only shame here is that he will get out again and he'll still be rich.
Not really. He'll have spent a decent clip of money in legal fees on this; and he's effectively unemployable now. His NFL career is essentially over. He might be able to get a job working for some cut rate football league, but not the NFL.

I wouldn't be too sure of that. As heinous as his crimes are there are still a ton of apologists out there that will still cheer for him and buy Vick merchandise. And it's not like professional sports exactly have a high bar for conduct as there are plenty of drug offenders, drunk divers, wife beaters, and all sorts of other batshit crimes (and some have more than one of these) and are still playing in the NFL. Unless he's explicitly banned I'd imagine he'll be back.

And while the lawyer's fees, fines, and other such thing will make a dent he's unlikely to ever be truly poor. He may well come down in the world but unless he's a Tyson like spender he's probably not going to fall much further than upper middle class.

So yeah, he's getting off light and probably won't get much in the way of actual hard time either.

Burak Gazan · Post by **Burak Gazan** » 2007-08-21 05:34pm

Googling "NFL Criminals" is a bit of an eye-opener

This link is fascinating : NFL All-Criminal Team

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2007-08-21 10:10pm

I wonder if Vick will make first-string on the prison team...?