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Dog-fighting pals no longer Vick’s best friends
By Gina Spadafori
August 17, 2007
Vick killed dogs himself. Vick was deeply, deeply involved in the gambling that adds “appeal” to dog-fighting. This, according to a couple of his oldest pals, who have turned on him with plea bargain. From ESPN.com:
On Friday, in a packed federal courtroom, two of Vick’s co-defendants, including one of his best friends, pleaded guilty to conspiracy. Both agreed to testify against Vick in a trial that seems more and more likely never to happen. Originally, there were four defendants in this federal dogfighting case. Now Vick stands alone. His friends have implicated him in the conspiracy, and as a participant in the killing of dogs.
Quanis Phillips, flanked by two attorneys, stood before judge Henry Hudson first this morning. He has known Vick since they were in middle school together in Newport News, Va. They’ve been almost inseparable since then. According to a source close to Phillips, he was more concerned that people would think he ratted out his best friend than with the prospect of prison. But after Tony Taylor became the first of the defendants to accept a plea deal, the chances of anyone else beating these charges diminished dramatically.
The judge looked down at Phillips and summed it up succinctly.
“End of the road once you enter a plea of guilty,” he said.
Purnell Peace followed Phillips, also entering a plea of guilty. Both men are expecting a sentence of between 12 and 18 months, according to federal sentencing guidelines. However, Hudson has the discretion to make the punishment more lenient or severe. He said on Friday that he was leaning in the direction of severe. The gruesome details in the indictment seem to have horrified him as much as they’ve horrified many across America.
“There are aggravating circumstances in this case,” Hudson said. “No doubt about it.”
When it was over, Phillips was taken into custody, where he will remain until sentencing because of a recent failed drug test. Peace was free to leave the courtroom, so he and the two men’s attorneys were escorted to a waiting white Ford pickup truck, which rumbled away down Main Street, leaving the crowd with nothing to do but wait on Vick.
Vick is the last man standing; and if the feeling here is correct, he won’t be standing much longer. Clearly, he will be facing some time in prison. Then he’ll have to see if he can ever play football again.
I can’t even imagine why his future as a professional athlete is even in question. It should be as dead as the dogs he killed.
Sick Vick. Sick. Vick.
Likely it’ll be the gambling that gets him banned from the NFL, though. From SI.com:
Phillips and Peace also backed up Taylor’s assertion that Vick was involved in gambling.
“The ‘Bad Newz Kennels’ operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Vick,” according to statements by the two men.
Those allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Good-bye, Mr. Vick, good-bye.
Update: The owner of the Atlanta Falcons says he expects Vick to plead out:
With his NFL career in jeopardy and a superseding indictment adding more charges in the works, Vick faces the choice of either cutting his own deal or going to trial and listening to witnesses describe the ghastly details of his “Bad Newz Kennels” activities.
NBC News reported at as of 5 p.m. ET, Vick and his lawyers had not given their decision yet about whether they will accept the plea deal. The courthouse closed for business at 4 p.m. ET, but NBC News said that Vick’s lawyers could still file their decision via email. Falcons owner Arthur Blank told ESPN he expects Vick to accept the plea deal.
A statement signed by Phillips as part of his plea agreement said Vick joined in executing at least eight dogs by various methods, including hanging and drowning.
“Phillips agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts of Peace, Phillips, and Vick,” the statement says.
Phillips and Peace also backed up Taylor’s assertion that Vick was involved in gambling.
“The ‘Bad Newz Kennels’ operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Vick,” statements by the two men say.
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wonder when the IRS is gonna step in . . .
“If he does testify, he faces a nightmare of cross-examination from federal prosecutors armed with at least seven cooperating witnesses and six years of e-mails, documents and financial records from Bad Newz Kennels.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=2979011
i think his future is only being discussed because he hasn’t taken a plea or gone to trial. his friends rolling on him may do it though along with the league’s investigation. Vick can’t really plea and expect to play again with the gambling issue. also, depending on his sentence, the league needs to make sure they’re covered if for some reason he gets off light and still wants to challenge the contract or try and play for another team. i’m not positive, but i think the conduct policy can only put him out a year, gambling can 86 him for life. so if Vick only does a year in jail . . . from what i can tell, the league is pretty serious. Vick lied to their face. too bad he didn’t realize how important being a football player was to his self until now . . . i’m glad he seemed to be waiting until the league decided as he may have waited too long . .
Comment by straybaby — August 17, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
Earlier today the media said one of Vick’s cronies gave evidence that Vick was directly involved in the deaths of 8 dogs either drowning or hanging the dogs personally. This evening on the news it’s being said Vick has reached a plea agreement. AAGGHH. Head explosion. Guess in today’s world a football “hero” is more important than justice. After all it’s only DOGS and sadly the “sport” will continue. I hope that Vick will one day meet his “justice” in another way.
Comment by VJ — August 17, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
There is a state action waiting to happen.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=2979518
Comment by ruth ellen — August 17, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
From VJ’s post:
“Earlier today the media said one of Vick’s cronies gave evidence that Vick was directly involved in the deaths of 8 dogs either drowning or hanging the dogs personally.”
From ruth ellen’s link:
“Dogfighting and animal cruelty are felonies in Virginia with animal cruelty charges holding penalties of up to five years in jail for each animal killed.”
One can only hope . . . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — August 17, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
The BEST news of the day about Vick is here:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/13918614/detail.html
Comment by Lynn — August 17, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
If you thought Vick & co.’s brutal attacks on the dogs were bad before, it gets worse:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=2978715
ESPN’s Kelly Naqi has learned from multiple sources that Vick, Peace and Phillips initially hanged all of the dogs in the woods behind Vick’s house but at least three dogs survived the hanging attempt. Subsequently, Vick, Peace and Phillips submerged the surviving dogs’ heads in five gallon buckets filled with water until they drowned.
So “at least” three dogs were tortured a second time!
Comment by Barb — August 18, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I sure know what I’d do with Vick and his ilk and it wouldn’t happen in a court of law.
Comment by VJ — August 18, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
MICHAEL VICK TAKES PLEA DEAL. Check out cnn.com for breaking news on topic..
Comment by perkysmom — August 20, 2007 @ 11:57 am
Lawyer: Vick to Plead Guilty to Dog Fighting Charges - http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/ne.....;type=lgns
Comment by Barb — August 20, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
“Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.”
Oh yeah? And just how does he plan to apologize to the 8 dogs he murdered (not to mention the countless others maimed and abused while he and his pals got their jollies)?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — August 20, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20385308/
This is quite a well done article on dog fighting. Well worth taking a look at.
“Dog men,” they call themselves, the untold numbers of breeders and fighters. With their pastime illegal everywhere in the country, they stay in touch through secret networks and underground magazines. They say they love to compete. They tell themselves the pit bulls love it, too.
“The reason for the Michael Vick thing . . . is because athletes have a keen insight into courage and determination, which is what pit bulls possess,” said Bill Stewart, a breeder in Romance, Ark., who publishes the Pit Bull Reporter. “Athletes understand better than anyone what dogfighting is about. It’s about two highly conditioned athletes going at each other with everything they have to try to win. It’s the purest form of combat on earth.”
Comment by Schnauzer — August 22, 2007 @ 5:04 am
Ilana Mercer is a libertarain blogger who opposes the prosecution of Vick in the name of (predictably enough) property rights. You can leave comments.
http://blog.ilanamercer.com/Index.php?p=512
Comment by expat — August 22, 2007 @ 5:35 am
As with the “I hate dogs” columnist last week, the best thing to do is ignore her. She lives for attention. If people who don’t think it’s OK to treat “property” this way flood her blog with comments, she’ll be delighted.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 22, 2007 @ 5:52 am
Gee, Dogman sound a lot like child molesters to me. Secret network, find ways to justify it, say their victims like it - yep, the comparison works for me.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — August 22, 2007 @ 6:50 am
Don’t believe defenders — Vick’s a bad guy
How could QB get a rush out of watching two dogs try to kill each other?
Vick turned out to be a bad guy. Don’t listen to any of his former teammates or members of the media who tell you anything other than the fact he is a felon who killed helpless animals for entertainment and making money. I can’t begin to tell you why a person with superior athletic ability would put their career in jeopardy by getting involved in such a disturbing activity.
At some point, Vick will sit down with a credible member of the media and apologize. I’ll be interested to hear about the time he first got involved in dogfighting and why it gave him a rush. Who were the early influences in his life that convinced him that this barbaric sport was entertaining and acceptable?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20379762/
Comment by Schnauzer — August 22, 2007 @ 9:36 am
As the Chair of Animal Chaplains.com, I have been horrified to learn about dogfighting and the cruel torturing, maiming, and killing that takes place in it. I am saddened that celebrities like athlete Michael Vick and rapper DMX have been implicated in such unbelievably bloody crimes.
Like humans, animals are sentient beings who feel pain. We are instructed by all of the worlds major faiths to care for animals in responsible, loving ways. It is our moral and spiritual obligation to protect them. Please join us on October 4th, 2007, in cities all around the world to celebrate “World Animal Day”. On that day, animals will be blessed and honored, and we will hopefully all realize how lucky we are to have them in our world. For more information, search on the words “World Animal Day” for a celebration near you.
Nancy J. Cronk
Founder, Chair and Chaplain
Interfaith Association of Animal Chaplains
http://www.AnimalChaplains.com
Comment by Animal Chaplain Nancy — August 25, 2007 @ 11:29 pm
Listening, reading and watching the media over the past month or so, you’d think dog fighting is very pervasive. I think it probably is NOT…at least I hope not. Inhuman and reprehensible as it is, I think the media is making a bigger issue out of it than it deserves. I do think we should fight it and prosecute the SOB’s who are involved in it, but I just don’t think it’s that pervasive. DO YOU ALL?
Go to this site and vote: Is dog fighting that pervasive? http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=388
Make your voice heard.
Comment by Darthie — August 26, 2007 @ 6:00 pm