Posted by Killa4luv:

He probably did some bad things to dogs, and hes gonna do some jail time for that. Hes not the Anti-Christ and hes not Hitler, and we really dont know the level of his involvement and never will because everyone rolled over on him to get a reduced sentence. I think many of you do not understand how these types of cases work. I have many friends in federal prison so I am very familiar with the process.

But look at it like this, Sammy the Bull Gravano confessed to 19 murders in a plea deal to nab John Gotti, and was given 5 years on a small racketeering charge in exchange. The feds want Vick, and they will offer others, who may have been more involved, lighter sentences in order to get him. They will say what the feds want them to say, thats just how it works.

So how does the crowd deal with that. Do they think hes less of a bad guy because he didn't kill any dogs, or do they accuse him of lying and continue with their witch hunt. What position will all of you law and order people take? Just curious. I was sure the gov't would have him plead guilty to all of the charges since they say they have so much evidence. That theu didn't do that is interesting.

Posted by TheGame:

Well, the fact that the feds accepted a plea in which he did not admit to dog fighting or gambling on dog fights is very telling. It shows that they had at least some doubts as to their ability to prove those activities.

Vick still could face prosecution by state
By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, scheduled to enter a guilty plea Monday in Richmond, Va., in a federal dogfighting case, may also face may face state charges.

A defense attorney in Richmond says such a two-fold prosecution would be possible, though unusual.

"Where there is a federal interest, the state usually will dismiss any pending charges they have, and it's quite rare for the state to charge after the feds have already commenced a prosecution," says Steven Benjamin, past president of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Under Virginia law, if an act is a violation of both state and federal laws, "a prosecution under the federal statute shall be a bar to prosecution" under state law.

"The catch," Benjamin says, "is that the state could still prosecute for any numbers of crimes that are not the subject of the federal prosecution."

Vick has agreed to plead guilty to a federal indictment alleging conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor animal fighting. Maximum possible penalties: five years in prison and a$250,000 fine.

But Benjamin said others also could attempt to prosecute under a state law which states that anybody who "beats, maims or mutilates any dog or cat that is a companion animal," causing its death, commits a felony punishable by up to five years in prison for each animal killed.

The federal indictment says dogs were killed when they did not perform well, including eight allegedly killed by Vick and others following "testing" last April. The ring allegedly was run out of Surry County, Va.

Surry County District Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter has said he'll seek state charges, according to reports by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. Calls by USA TODAY this week to Poindexter's office were not returned.

Vick also awaits disciplinary action from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who has declined to speculate on his possible action.

R.L. White, president of the Atlanta chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, has urged that Vick not be permanently banned from the league.

"As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football," White told the Associated Press.

"We further ask the NFL, Falcons and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over."

Posted by EnySpree:

This is a mess.

5 years a dog? We are talking a lot of dogs probably. Even if its 3 dogs, that\'s 15 years. If its 10 dogs 50 and if is say 30 dogs then they are talkin 150 years?

The court system doesn\'t work and it can be easily manipulated to suit whoever.

Just know this is definately more deeper than just dog fighting right now.

Posted by simrud:

Exactly BRIGGS.

This is total crap what he had to deal with because some dogs got killed. Punishments need to be proportional. Just because a lot of people really like dogs, going after Vick as much as has been done in the media is so holier than thou its ridiculous.