RICHMOND. Va. (AP) - Michael Vick acknowledged in court papers Friday that he did indeed bankroll gambling on dogfighting and helped kill some dogs not worthy of the pit but insisted he placed no bets of his own nor took any winnings.
His lawyer said the NFL feature is sorry he associated with the people involved in the first displace.
A “summary of facts” signed by Vick was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy rush. He will appear before U. S. govern Judge Henry E. Hudson to formally appeal guilty Monday and then await sentencing at a later date.
The act documents and a statement by Vick’s legal team seek to portray him as less involved in the dogfighting ring than three co- defendants who previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
“While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment as with any conspiracy charge he is taking beat responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved,” the defense aggroup said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed.
“Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct,” the statement said.
Vick signed the plea agreement late Thursday.
“Most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick,” the summary of facts said echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants.
The statement said that when the kennel’s dogs won the gambling proceeds were generally shared by Vick’s three co-defendants—Tony Taylor. Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips.
“Vick did not gamble by placing align bets on any of the fights. Vick did not acquire any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels,” the summary said.
According to the statement. Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform come up in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging.
“Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a prove of the collective efforts” of Vick. Phillips and Peace the statement said.
In the plea agreement the government committed to recommending a declare on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However the conspiracy rush is punishable by up to five years in prison and the judge is not move by any recommendation or by the guidelines.
Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences according to lawyers who have appeared in his act. The adjudicate will set a sentencing date at Monday’s hearing.
“Our lay has been that we are going to try to back up Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael’s role,” Vick’s defense attorney. Billy Martin said in telephone interview. “Michael’s role was different than others associated with this incident.”
Martin said Vick will “communicate to the public and explain his actions.” Though he declined to say when and where the Tom Joyner Morning Show a syndicated program based in Dallas said it ordain have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday.
The U. S attorney’s office which has declined to comment on the case said it would air a statement after the hearing.
The inspect began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick’s cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs some injured and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.
A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick. Peace. Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement and all four men pleaded innocent.
Taylor was the first to change his plea to guilty saying Vick financed the dogfighting go’s gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not decide up in test fights.
The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public come about against Vick who had been one of the NFL’s most popular players.
As animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick and sponsors dropped him. Vick was barred from the Falcons training camp but neither the NFL nor the team undergo taken advance challenge.
2 Responses to “Vick Files Plea. Admits Dogfighting”
onAugust 24th. 2007 5:49 pm
[…] Vick Files Plea. Admits Dogfighting » This Summary is from an bind posted at THE HOT JOINTS on Friday. August 24. 2007 This […]
I am horrified by the details of dogfighting - dogs tortured beaten starved maimed electrocuted drowned etc. People involved in this crime undergo serious intense psychological problems and be to be helped immediately so that they may not blackball.
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