Vick Served Summons Federal Dogfighting Charges in Richmond




Jul 21, 7:36 PM (ET)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was in Richmond when he was served a summons to appear in court on federal dogfighting charges, documents posted on the U.S. District Court's Web site show.
The summons, posted Friday, states it was served personally on the defendant Thursday by a deputy marshal in the U.S. Marshals Service office in the courthouse.

Vick will be in court in Richmond on July 26 for bond hearings and arraignments on charges he sponsored a gruesome dogfighting operation. Vick and three co-defendants will be asked to enter pleas to the felony charges, and a date for the federal trial likely will be set during the arraignment.

According to the detailed, 18-page indictment handed up Tuesday, the four are accused of competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

The operation was named "Bad Newz Kennels," according to the indictment, and the dogs were housed, trained and fought at a property owned by Vick in Surry County, Va.

Conviction carries up to six years in prison, fines of $350,000 and restitution.



With the Nfl's new conduct rules should Vick get out of any prison time, he most likely be facing a very long suspension and hefty fines as well.

I've heard people say, "They are JUST dogs!" But I would have to disagree. Drowning, electrocuting, and downright abusing dogs is not the way the good Lord intended it to be. What have the dogs done to Vick? Nothing. And yet, Vick chooses to participate in an illegal action. AT THE VERY LEAST I would like them to hit Vick with a huge fine and donate all of the money to an animal shelter.

Also, has anyone heard of the term "Man's best friend?"

I agree with you 100%. But I think Vick might be in for a very stiff punishment concerning the matter.



Jul 24, 8:43 PM (ET)

By PAUL NEWBERRY
ATLANTA (AP) -The Atlanta Falcons wanted to suspend Michael Vick. And considering the appalling allegations against their star quarterback, they may not want him back at all.

Under an edict from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Vick is barred from taking part in training camp while the league investigates a federal dogfighting indictment against one of its most prominent players.

The Falcons revealed Tuesday they wanted to give Vick a four-game suspension - the maximum a team can impose - until Goodell asked them to hold off. He wants to take a further look at the charges issued last week and can dole out stiffer penalties under a new personal conduct policy.

"This sort of behavior is really horrific," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in the team's first public comment since Vick was indicted. "This is certainly not the player or the person that I knew the last six years."

The Falcons said they considered all options - releasing Vick among them - and seemed to signal he will miss at least a fourth of the season even if Goodell doesn't impose his own sanctions.

Most tellingly, Blank said he would encourage Vick to give up any thoughts of playing while the case is pending - even if it means sitting out the entire season. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, the same day the Falcons open training camp.

"This is not about playing football in 2007," said Blank, joined at a news conference by general manager Rich McKay and new coach Bobby Petrino. "This is a very difficult process he'll be going through over the next couple of months. It's very difficult to do that and focus on football at the same time."

Goodell weighed in on Vick's case during a news conference with NFL Players Association chief Gene Upshaw in Washington, where the two discussed an alliance to help former players.

"Let me make it very clear that the National Football League is very disappointed that Michael put himself in this position," Goodell said. "In no way do we think that dogfighting or anything related to dogfighting is acceptable. We think it's despicable, frankly."

As for why he blocked an immediate suspension against Vick, Goodell said the league needed more time to investigate.

"We're looking at this from the long term," he said. "We understand how our fans are reacting to this. It is very emotional for all of us. But we have to remember that we are still at a state where these are charges. These are allegations."

Under the league's collective bargaining agreement, a team can impose a four-game suspension for detrimental conduct. The league's new conduct policy allows Goodell to hand down harsher penalties.

"Prior to this, we were pursuing the maximum discipline, which is a four-game suspension," Blank said. "We had gone so far as to draft the letter. But the commissioner asked us not to take action until they completed their review."

Clearly, the Falcons did not want to begin training camp with a quarterback who was under federal indictment, even though he led them to the NFC championship game during the 2004 season and last year became the first quarterback in league history to rush for 1,000 yards.

"There is certainly a reasonable potential that he's going to miss part - a significant part - of the regular season," Blank said.

In April, investigators raiding a home owned by Vick in rural Virginia allegedly found evidence of dogfighting, include dozens of pit bulls, bloodstained carpeting, treadmills rigged up for training, veterinary supplies and "breaking sticks" used to pry a dog's jaw apart.

At first, Vick denied any connection to the house, saying he never lived there and rarely visited. He blamed friends and family members for taking advantage of his generosity, an explanation that he apparently gave Goodell when the two held an impromptu meeting in New York during the draft.

Since then, Vick has denied any comment on the case.

Blank said he is deeply disturbed by the allegations, making a point to say that he counted Vick's name more than 50 times in the 18-page indictment. Vick and three associates are accused of killing dogs if they weren't strong enough to fight, with gruesome methods that included hanging, drowning, shooting and electrocution.

"There was no indication, no signs, no whispers that Michael could be involved in any of this kind of behavior," McKay said.

In 2004, the Falcons signed Vick to the richest contract in NFL history at the time, a 10-year extension worth approximately $130 million. At the time, Blank said the deal would allow Vick to play his entire career in Atlanta.

Now, there's a distinct possibility that Vick's career with the Falcons is over, even though the team would take a debilitating salary cap hit over the next two years if he's released.

Vick's salary this season is $6 million.

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - kept up its pressure on the Falcons, sending three people to protest outside the headquarters of Blank's foundation, where the news conference was held. One of them carried a sign, "Sack Vick."

Later, PETA issued a statement. "Because of the Falcons' willingness to suspend Vick, PETA is canceling plans to protest outside the Falcons' training camp on Thursday," it said.

Instead, PETA will demonstrate outside a NikeTown store in Atlanta on Thursday, demanding that Nike drop what PETA called its corporate partnership with Vick.

Joey Harrington goes into camp as Atlanta's starting quarterback. His career record as a starter (23-43) hardly makes him a promising alternative, especially for a team that hired Petrino specifically because it felt he could bring out Vick's full potential.

The Falcons sure could use Matt Schaub, who was Vick's backup for three years. He was dealt to the Houston Texans just before evidence of dogfighting emerged when police raided Vick's house in April.

"This is a big obstacle, there's no question about that," Petrino said.

Since the end of last season, Goodell has used the new conduct policy to suspend Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Tennessee Titans for the entire 2007 season. Chris Henry of Cincinnati and former Chicago Bear Tank Johnson were given eight-game suspensions for various run-ins with the law.

The commissioner isn't ready to impose sanctions on Vick.

Not yet anyway.

"I would like to, before any decisions are made about the futures of any player, understand the facts as best as possible," Goodell said. "I thought it was in our best interest to make sure we did do that."

I never liked Vick and I never will. I always hated his game, and the way everybody treated him like god. I have a real reason do dislike him as a person now.

As I heard one person say on the radio ( I forgot who), if he likes fighting so much, stop being a wuss and fight someone rather than having dogs doing it for him and win money that way.

Innocent until proven guilty...

Vick is an idiot plain and simple why was he even invovled anyways now u know what that cost hime his endorsement and that is what he deserves

quote:

Originally posted by $$ CA$HMONEY $$:
Vick is an idiot plain and simple why was he even invovled anyways now u know what that cost hime his endorsement and that is what he deserves

Like H&S said innocent until proven guilty. I don't think they should have did anything until the hearings begin, what if he's innocent on all charges? I can see not allowing him to report to training camp and all, but the endorsements could have waited IMO.

Vick Co-defendant Pleads Guilty to Dogfighting Conspiracy Charges


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Jul 30, 11:03 AM (ET)

By LARRY O'DELL
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - One of Michael Vick's co-defendants pleaded guilty Monday to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Tony Taylor, 34, who will be sentenced Dec. 14, said he was not promised any specific sentence in return for his cooperation with the government.

Taylor faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but likely will get less under federal sentencing guidelines. The guideline range will be determined by court officials, and U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson can depart from that range if he finds aggravating or mitigating circumstances.

"You're pleading guilty and taking your chances, right?" Hudson asked Taylor.

He responded, "Yes."

Taylor had the same answer when Hudson asked: "You have agreed to cooperate fully with the United States, is that right?"

Taylor, of Hampton, entered his plea to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

Vick, the star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and two other co-defendants pleaded not guilty last week to the same charges.

Taylor and his attorney, Stephen A. Hudgins of Newport News, refused to answer reporters' questions as they left the federal courthouse after the 15-minute hearing.

Prosecutors claimed in a July 17 indictment that Taylor found the Surry County property that Vick purchased and used as the site of "Bad Newz Kennels," a dogfighting enterprise. Taylor also allegedly helped purchase pit bulls and killed at least two dogs that fared poorly in test fights.

According to the 18-page indictment, the dogfighting ring executed underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other brutal means. It alleges that the fights offered purses as high as $26,000.

The grisly details outlined in the indictment have fueled protests and public outrage against Vick. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has banned Vick from the Falcons' training camp while the league investigates.

Vick and Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, are scheduled for trial Nov. 26. They remain free without bond.


I wonder what he will say concerning Vick and the others that are charged since he pled guilty?

I just heard that over 200 African Americans gathered outside the courtroom in which Vick is and were protesting in support of him. Now the NAACP is getting involved.

IMO, this has nothing to do with race. You don't have to spin the racial card on every single issue, essentially trivializing it.

I've heard people say, "Is it now worse to abuse animals than humans? Look at Kobe Bryant, he still got to play for the Lakers. It is a heinous crime, but they are dogs nonetheless."

Listen, the woman who accused Kobe just wanted one thing: attention. This woman had sex with three people in 72 hours and from what I've been told, Kobe was the middle one. Why would anyone have sex with a man after she has been apparently "raped"? It's hard to fathom. Kobe made a mistake, but the charges were dropped, and for a good reason.

Look at Michael Vick. Hanging, electrocuting, shooting dogs? The co-defendants pleaded guilty and there may be a plea bargain coming up soon. The evidence is pretty staked up against Vick. I have friends who don't pay attention to sports at all, and they know Vick.

Co-defendant Says Vick Bankrolled Dogfighting Ring


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Jul 30, 6:01 PM (ET)

By LARRY O'DELL
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - One of Michael Vick's co-defendants pleaded guilty Monday to his role in a dogfighting conspiracy he says was financed almost entirely by the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

As part of a plea agreement, Tony Taylor pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and two other men accused of running an interstate dogfighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" on Vick's property in rural Surry County.

"The 'Bad Newz Kennels' operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Vick," a summary of facts supporting the plea agreement and signed by Taylor states.

The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining co-defendants if called upon to do so. Taylor cannot get a stiffer sentence or face any new charges based on any new information he provides, according to terms of the agreement.

Additional charges are possible, however, against Vick and the other two. Federal prosecutors have said a superseding indictment will be issued in August.

Vick's lead attorney, Billy Martin, did not immediately return a phone message.

Taylor, 34, of Hampton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

Vick pleaded not guilty to the same charges last week and said in a written statement that he looked forward to "clearing my good name." He also pleaded with the public to resist a rush to judgment.

The gruesome details outlined in the July 17 indictment have fueled public protests against Vick and prompted the suspension of some of his lucrative endorsement deals. Also, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has barred Vick from the Falcons' training camp.

The summary of facts signed by Taylor supports the indictment's claims that the dogfighting ring executed underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other brutal means. Taylor admitted shooting one dog and electrocuting another when they did not perform well in test fights in the summer of 2002.

Vick, 27, attended several dogfights in Virginia and other states with his partners, according to the statement. Prosecutors claim the fights offered purses as high as $26,000.

Taylor, who will be sentenced Dec. 14, said he was not promised any specific sentence in return for his cooperation with the government.

He faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000, although federal sentencing guidelines likely will call for less. The range will be determined by the court's probation office, but the judge can depart from that range if he finds aggravating or mitigating circumstances.

Taylor and his attorney, Stephen A. Hudgins of Newport News, declined to answer reporters' questions as they left the federal courthouse. Prosecutors also would not comment.

During the hearing, Taylor spoke only in response to routine yes-or-no questions from U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. He answered "Yes" when the judge asked if he had agreed to cooperate with the government.

Taylor acknowledged in the summary of facts that he found the property that Vick purchased in 2001 for $30,000 for development into a dogfighting compound. Taylor says he maintained and trained the dogs for about three years, using his share of winnings - which were split among the partners - for living expenses.

He left the operation after a falling out with co-defendant Quanis L. Phillips and others in September 2004, according to the statement of facts.

Vick and Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, and Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, are scheduled for trial Nov. 26. They remain free without bond.

quote:

Originally posted by Diego:
I just heard that over 200 African Americans gathered outside the courtroom in which Vick is and were protesting in support of him. Now the NAACP is getting involved. You don't have to spin the racial card on every single issue, essentially trivializing it.

I've heard people say, "Is it now worse to abuse animals than humans? Look at Kobe Bryant, he still got to play for the Lakers. It is a heinous crime, but they are dogs nonetheless."

Listen, the woman who accused Kobe just wanted one thing: attention. This woman had sex with three people in 72 hours and from what I've been told, Kobe was the middle one. Why would anyone have sex with a man after she has been apparently "raped"? It's hard to fathom. Kobe made a mistake, but the charges were dropped, and for a good reason.

Look at Michael Vick. Hanging, electrocuting, shooting dogs? The co-defendants pleaded guilty and there may be a plea bargain coming up soon. The evidence is pretty staked up against Vick. I have friends who don't pay attention to sports at all, and they know Vick.

Not trying to start a race thing, but I wonder if this would have been Brady or Peyton Manning would it really be the biggest sport thing going on right now? If he is not guilty (which looks bleek for him right now) then what? I think the whole process should play out in the court system before taking action against Vick. His career has been negatively judge since he came into the league, and so has Donovan Mcnabb 's. I wonder why?

quote:

Originally posted by Twizzel_55:
Not trying to start a race thing, but I wonder if this would have been Brady or Peyton Manning would it really be the biggest sport thing going on right now? If he is not guilty (which looks bleek for him right now) then what? I think the whole process should play out in the court system before taking action against Vick. His career has been negatively judge since he came into the league, and so has Donovan Mcnabb 's. I wonder why?

If Peyton Manning or Tom Brady were accused of the same thing, it would be worse because they are better quarterbacks than Vick is IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by Diego:

quote:

Originally posted by Twizzel_55:
Not trying to start a race thing, but I wonder if this would have been Brady or Peyton Manning would it really be the biggest sport thing going on right now? If he is not guilty (which looks bleek for him right now) then what? I think the whole process should play out in the court system before taking action against Vick. His career has been negatively judge since he came into the league, and so has Donovan Mcnabb 's. I wonder why?

If Peyton Manning or Tom Brady were accused of the same thing, it would be worse because they are better quarterbacks than Vick is IMO.

Their also media darlings too, I think it would be a lot more support for either of them because of that and other things. You know the popular opinion when it come to African Americans playing that position in pro footballl. I'm not going to get into because its a matter of opinion, but I see nothing wrong with people gathering in support of Vick. On the flip side it would look foolish if hes guilty, but until proven guilty he should'nt be treated any differently.

quote:

Originally posted by Twizzel_55:

quote:

Originally posted by Diego:

quote:

Originally posted by Twizzel_55:
Not trying to start a race thing, but I wonder if this would have been Brady or Peyton Manning would it really be the biggest sport thing going on right now? If he is not guilty (which looks bleek for him right now) then what? I think the whole process should play out in the court system before taking action against Vick. His career has been negatively judge since he came into the league, and so has Donovan Mcnabb 's. I wonder why?

If Peyton Manning or Tom Brady were accused of the same thing, it would be worse because they are better quarterbacks than Vick is IMO.

You know the popular opinion when it come to African Americans playing that position in pro footballl.

Good point. And the 200 people who are actually falcon fans in the Atlanta community would mean more to mean the then dozens of Peta protesters lined out outside the league offices....

man that sucks for vick i loved how the he played!!!