Vick Sentenced to 23 Months in prison
Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison December 10th 2007 for running a "cruel and inhumane" dog fighting ring. His sentence was also compounded by the fact that he had previously vehemently denied the allegations to both NFL officials and federal authorities. While the NFL superstar quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons could have been sentenced up to five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, animal rights supporters were generally pleased. Vick, who turned himself in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison suit. After Vick apologized to the court and his family, Hudson told him:
"You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."
"Yes, sir," Vick answered.
"I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions" said 27-year-old player as he acknowledged using "poor judgment".
"You were instrumental in promoting, funding and facilitating this cruel and inhumane sporting activity," Hudson told Vick.
Vick was suspended without pay by the NFL and lost all his lucrative endorsement deals. NFL officials are still determinind if Michael Vick will ever be allowed to play professional football again.Vick was denied any credit for taking responsibility for his crime. Hudson agreed with a federal probation officer's finding that Vick had lied about his hands-on killing of dogs and about his drug use. Vick tested positive for marijuana Sept. 13, violating conditions of his release while he awaited sentencingStatements provided recalled that Vick at one point lied by saying he only handed over two dogs to co-defendant Quanis Phillips, who then subsequently killed them. Vick also admitted dropping a dog after Phillips tied a rope around the animal's neck. "I'm not convinced you've fully accepted responsibility," Hudson told Vick. Federal sentencing guidelines called for a term of 18 months to two years. Federal prosecutor Michael Gill asked for a sentence at the high end, meaning Vick would get more time than either of the two co-defendants sentenced last month. "He did more than fund it," Gill said, referring to the "Bad Newz Kennels" dog fighting operation. "He was in this thing up to his neck with the other defendants." Outside court, Woodward said Vick didn't want anyone feeling sorry for him. "He just wants a chance to prove himself when all this is over," he said. "But the other thing he said to me, which I also think is important for everyone to know, is that he understood that some of the things he was doing in life and off the field were dangerous, and he told me he feels lucky that he's alive and not hurt and now it's all about the future." U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg sounded a similar theme.
"This was an efficient, professional, and thorough investigation that well exposed a seamy side of our society," he said in a statement. "I trust Mr. Vick learned important lessons and that his admission of guilt will speed his rehabilitation." Pleading guilty in August, Vick admitting he bankrolled the dog fighting operation and helped kill upwards to eight dogs. He has been held at a jail in Warsaw, Va., since he voluntarily began serving his sentence.
Michael Vick also admitted bankrolling the dog fighting ring on his 15-acre property in rural Virginia and helping kill pit bulls that did not perform well in test fights. He also admitted providing money for bets on the fights but said he never shared in any winnings. Court papers revealed gruesome details about Vick's dog fighting operation, including the execution of underperforming dogs by electrocution, drowning, hanging and other means. Those details prompted a public backlash against the once-popular NFL star and outraged animal-rights groups, which used the case to call attention to the brutality of dog fighting. John Goodwin of the Humane Society of the United States called the sentence appropriate.
"People that are involved in this blood sport are on notice. You can throw your life away by being involved in this," he said. Two co-defendants were sentenced Nov. 30. Purnell Peace, of Virginia Beach, got 18 months. Phillips, of Atlanta, got 21 months. Another co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced Friday.
The case began in April when a drug investigation of Vick's cousin led authorities to the former Virginia Tech star's Surry County property, where they found dozens of pit bulls -- some of them injured -- and equipment associated with dog fighting. Vick initially denied any knowledge about dog fighting on the property. He changed his story after the three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government.
By 8 a.m. Monday, about 50 people were in line outside the courthouse waiting for the doors to open. About two dozen animal rights activists stood across the street holding posters showing injured pit bulls and the messages, "Report Dogfighters" and "Dogs Deserve Justice."
"We want to make sure the focus on the animals in this case isn't lost," said Dan Shannon, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Julia Novak arrived with her small beagle, Frankie, who wore a sandwich board with the message on one side: "Dogfighters use dogs like me for bait." Associated Press writers Hank Kurz Jr. and Zinie Chen Sampson in Richmond and Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.