What was shaping up to be the next “trial of the century” was cut short by heavy pressure from the feds, outrage from animal lovers and “snitching” from co-defendants.
Former Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick filed a guilty plea in federal court today. The charges include dog fighting, running a dog fighting enterprise, killing dogs and gambling.
Vick will officially enter his guilty plea Monday.
According to an ESPN.com article, Vick will plead guilty to one count of the indictment against him, “that he was part of a conspiracy to operate a dogfighting ring across state lines. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years’ probation.”
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However, Vick denied that he received any of the proceeds via side bets or money from the dog fights.
U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson will sentence Vick. Hudson has been described as “tough, but fair” and is not bound by federal sentencing guidelines or a prosecutors recommendation that Vick get less than the 5 year maximum.
When the investigation began late April, after the discovery of 66 dogs at a home Vick owned in Virginia, he maintained his innocence in the matter. After his would be co-defendants entered guilty pleas, his attorney’s convinced him to enter one himself.
Had Vick taken the case to trial, he ran the risk of being hit with other charges, would carried a 20-year maximum sentence.
