Vick goes to court today....

[packinpatland]

This is the part I just don't understand. This is the first time he's been 'caught'. Hasn't it been documented that he's been into this for years?
Somehow, the sentence should reflect such........."I plead guilty, been doing it for years, would still be doing it, if you all hadn't caught me".

The official said such a sentence would be more than is usually recommended for first-time offenders and reflects the government’s attempt to show that animal abusers will receive more than a slap on the wrist. However, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson is not bound by prosecutors’ recommendations or the sentencing guidelines and will have the final say on Vick’s sentence

[GBRulz]

I don't think the race card will be much of an issue with this one. Vick admitted his guilt to this digusting crime. It doesn't matter if you are black, white or orange.

I hope Goodell really send a strong message and bans him from the NFL for life.

[Rastak]

This is the part I just don't understand. This is the first time he's been 'caught'. Hasn't it been documented that he's been into this for years?
Somehow, the sentence should reflect such........."I plead guilty, been doing it for years, would still be doing it, if you all hadn't caught me".

The official said such a sentence would be more than is usually recommended for first-time offenders and reflects the government’s attempt to show that animal abusers will receive more than a slap on the wrist. However, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson is not bound by prosecutors’ recommendations or the sentencing guidelines and will have the final say on Vick’s sentence

1st time offender means he's never been convicted of a crime.

[esoxx]

I don't think the race card will be much of an issue with this one. Vick admitted his guilt to this digusting crime. It doesn't matter if you are black, white or orange.

I hope Goodell really send a strong message and bans him from the NFL for life.

Terrance Moore, sportswriter for the Atlanta Constitution, was on ESPN this afternoon and said just about everywhere he's been in the black community in Atlanta, most seem to feel Vick is being unfairly signaled out.

I guess nothing much surprises me any more.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I also hope Vick gets banned for the NFL for the rest of his life. This crime is disgusting and he should be punished severely.

[Freak Out]

I'm hearing now that Vick has NOT agreed to a deal just yet. Anyone else getting this?

No, not hearing that at all. His attorney went on TV and stated he agreed. Where are you hearing this conflicting info?

On the way back from lunch I heard someone on ESPN radio say he had not accepted a deal yet....that was after I heard earlier that he had and would make it official next Monday in court.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The prosecution used racketeering charges to force a guilty plea on the dog fighting.

The racketeering charge was phony. Well, obviously not according to the letter of the law; but it was an unfair tactic by the prosecution, they stretched the intent of the law. These punks weren't racketeers, they were petty thugs. The REAL crime here was animal abuse, dog fighting.

Ummm, some might say it is good that a trial was avoided, after-all, Vick looks guilty as sin. But justice means that a accused person is entitled to a trial before a jury. It would have been better to give Vick his day in court and PROVE the animal abuse charges.

[Rastak]

The prosecution used racketeering charges to force a guilty plea on the dog fighting.

The racketeering charge was phony. Well, obviously not according to the letter of the law; but it was an unfair tactic by the prosecution, they stretched the intent of the law. These punks weren't racketeers, they were petty thugs. The REAL crime here was animal abuse, dog fighting.

Ummm, some might say it is good that a trial was avoided, after-all, Vick looks guilty as sin. But justice means that a accused person is entitled to a trial before a jury. It would have been better to give Vick his day in court and PROVE the animal abuse charges.

And then shove 10 years up his ass for the expense. By the way, he wasn't charged with animal abuse.

[digitaldean]

Give it time about the animal abuse charges. The linguine-spined DA in Virginia may now finally grow a pair and indict him on the animal abuse charges.

Those can keep Vick in a Virginia prison after he is done with the federal rap. That would effectively put the last nail(s) in his NFL career.

[Patler]

The prosecution used racketeering charges to force a guilty plea on the dog fighting.

The racketeering charge was phony. Well, obviously not according to the letter of the law; but it was an unfair tactic by the prosecution, they stretched the intent of the law. These punks weren't racketeers, they were petty thugs. The REAL crime here was animal abuse, dog fighting.

I'm not sure how you can be so positive about that. This could very well have been a large interstate dog fighting operation. One interview I saw with an undercover agent or informant witness (I can't remember which) said Vick and his kennel were top level players in the dogfighting world.

I don't understand why you think they were just "petty thugs". With the millions of dollars Vick has, he could very well be a "kingpin" in the dogfighting world. This would also explain how the Feds got involved so quickly. They may have been following him already, and were forced to make their move when the locals got involved.

As quickly as this turned against Vick, I suspect all the individuals had a lot of jail time riding on the outcome, and they knew it. I suspect they were much, much more culpable than what we know right now. These things don't turn that quickly unless they are in it up to their necks. Good defense attorneys make a lot of headway when the prosecutors "over-charge" the defendant. I suspect they had only scratched the surface of Vick's involvement with the charges to date.

This all fell into line much, much more quickly than it would have if they were just petty thugs. These guys are pleading out for recommendations from the prosecutor of a few years prison time because they each know they could be put away for much longer, not on trumped up charges, but based on what they know they did. Their attorneys have probably told them to take the deals and run, it will never get any better than this.

We may learn a lot more about the cases against each when the sentencing hearings come up. Often you do.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Patler, if these geniuses were really running a complex, mafia-like organization then why would the DA offer a plea deal?? Put this crime syndicate behind bars for 25 years lest they strike again with their ingenious schemes.

Rastak pointed-out that they operated dog fights for 6 years. Hundreds of people must have known what was going on. I suspect they weren't busted because dog fighting, at least in the past, was a low-priority for the cops.

Ummm. you are certainly correct that I don't know the details, I could be wrong.

I suspect Vick is more of a damn fool than a master criminal. I really, really doubt this was about making additional millions for Mr. Vick.

[Rastak]

Actually Patler these idiots violated a cardinal rule, only break one law at a time. The initial investigation was for drugs against one these bright individuals. They showed up with a warrent and found a full blown dog fighting operation. The locals were idiots but the feds figured out it was an interstate operation and the next thing you know, lowlifes (including head lowlife Vick) are pleading guilty and getting ready for a nice stay in a federal pen.

[Harlan Huckleby]

They showed up with a warrent and found a full blown dog fighting operation..

OK. Then prove it in court.

the feds figured out it was an interstate operation

then make the racketeering charge stick.

[Freak Out]

These guy were sadistic idiots. Bottom line. People have been fighting animals for thousands of years so they can GAMBLE and make some loot. When a dog, lion, bear or fucking wombat can't cut it you either breed it or kill it because they cost $$$ to feed and keep. Most folks just shoot the suckers or let them run like the mushers do here in the north. They don't hang them upside down in a bucket of water or electrocute them for fucks sake. Stupid sick fucks.

[Patler]

Patler, if these geniuses were really running a complex, mafia-like organization than why would the DA offer a plea deal?? Put this crime syndicate behind bars for 25 years lest they strike again with their ingenious schemes.

Rastak pointed-out that they operated dog fights for 6 years. Hundreds of people must have known what was going on. I suspect they weren't busted because dog fighting, at least in the past, was a low-priority for the cops.

Ummm. you are certainly correct that I don't know the details, I could be wrong.

I suspect Vick is more of a damn fool than a master criminal. I really, really doubt this was about making additional millions for Mr. Vick.

I truly believe we have seen only the surface. The plea deals are there because the Feds were forced to move before they were ready. They may not want to compromise further investigations of still others. There can be many, many reasons.

If they truly were just petty criminals, why would Vick and his lawyer not fight it out? Vick can afford the best. Good defense attorneys get out and out acquittals from juries when prosecutors can be made to look overly heavy handed.

This caved in so quickly on Vick that he MUST be deeply involved. I am absolutely convinced of it. He wouldn't accept incarceration otherwise. It doesn't make any sense.