Vick in plea negotiations

By John McMullen
The Phanatic Magazine

Embattled Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is reportedly negotiating a plea with prosecutors on federal charges of sponsoring an interstate dogfighting ring.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Vick's attorneys could reach an agreement this week before additional dogfighting charges are leveled against the former Pro Bowl selection in the coming days.

The negotiations are in response to the news that two more of Vick's three co- defendants are scheduled to enter guilty pleas later this week.

Guilty plea hearings were scheduled Monday for Purnell Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach and Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta. The third co-defendant in the case, Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton pleaded guilty July 30 and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against Vick.

If Vick does reach a deal, he is expected to be sentenced to some time in prison, according to federal sentencing guidelines.

The charges in the case stem from an operation allegedly conducted at a house owned by Vick in Smithfield, Virginia. Vick and his three cohorts were indicted with travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

According to the indictment, the defendants were involved in an ongoing animal fighting business based out of Vick's property from early 2001 through sometime in April of this year.

Since Vick purchased the property in June 2001, the defendants formed a dog fighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" and used the property for housing and training pit bulls used in dog fights. From at least 2002, the defendants and others sponsored dog fights on the property and bringing dogs from several states to participate in the events.

During the fights, the participants would place bets ranging from the hundreds to thousands of dollars. The fights would last until either the death or surrender of the losing dog, which would then sometimes be put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshot, electrocution or other methods.
Also, the indictment said the defendants participated in dog fights in North and South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and elsewhere in Virginia.

The dog fighting affair was first brought to light when Vick's home was raided on April 26 when authorities seized 54 dogs, along with several other pieces of equipment associated in dogfighting.

The property was again searched on June 7 by federal officials, who uncovered the graves of several pit bulls on the property.

Vick denied any involvement in dogfighting conducted on his property when the case first broke, and has blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity