Vick goes to court today....

[MJZiggy]

The proof is there otherwise there is no way Vick goes for the plea bargain. If they can't prove it, he wouldn't take the deal and would be acquitted. There's too much at stake for him to try and deal unless he knows he's done for. He doesn't HAVE to go to court if he doesn't want to.

[Rastak]

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.

Ummmm, why prove it in court, the assholes all pleaded guilty?


Trust me, they would have....why do you think Michael Prick would suddenly plead guilty? They had seven witnesses lined up to detail it all.


What's up with your argument anyway, you think he was innocent of the charges and the anticipated charges? I think his high powered lawyer knew they had him dead to rights. ON ALL COUNTS.

[MasonCrosby]

i predict vick accepts the plea deal, comes out of jail clean and repentent, gets a second chance with the tampa bay buccs...who change their name to the tampa bay quarterbacks...

they then run plays with garcia behind center, vick lined up as a running back, simms at TE and gradkowski in the slot...

[Rastak]

i predict vick accepts the plea deal, comes out of jail clean and repentent, gets a second chance with the tampa bay buccs...who change their name to the tampa bay quarterbacks...

they then run plays with garcia behind center, vick lined up as a running back, simms at TE and gradkowski in the slot...

I predict he never plays in the NFL again. He will be in prison for 2008 probably through OTA's 2009, suspended for 2009 and maybe 2010 and who the hell would want this shithead in 2011?

[MJZiggy]

If he pleads guilty to interstate gambling, he could be done, period, no matter when he gets out. That could carry a lifetime ban.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Patler, Obviously there is a possibility that the feds could succeed on racketeering charges. Maybe a jury would see it as excessive, but you never know. Vick is probably justifiably afraid of being sent up the river for 20 years.


slightly related: back in the 80's , the feds were confiscating yachts when they found a joint onboard. It was a overzealous application of a law in the drug war frenzy. The intent of the law was fine, confiscate property fascilitating the drug trade. Sometimes prosecuters/cops overstep and get away with it.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I seriously am curious if Vick will play on the prison football team. That would be cool, could happen this fall.

[Rastak]

Patler, Obviously there is a possibility that the feds could succeed on racketeering charges. Maybe a jury would see it as excessive, but you never know. Vick is probably justifiably afraid of being sent up the river for 20 years.


slightly related: back in the 80's , the feds were confiscating yachts when they found a joint onboard. It was a overzealous application of a law in the drug war frenzy. The intent of the law was fine, confiscate property fascilitating the drug trade. Sometimes prosecuters/cops overstep and get away with it.

Actually I agree with you completely HH on that one. I just don't agree in this case.

[MasonCrosby]

remember when we all thought and had to worry about with the Vicks was that Marcus was the bad apple on that tree?

maybe he was just following his brother's example in some areas?

[Patler]

back in the 80's , the feds were confiscating yachts when they found a joint onboard. It was a overzealous application of a law in the drug war frenzy. The intent of the law was fine, confiscate property fascilitating the drug trade. Sometimes prosecuters/cops overstep and get away with it.

Urban legend, and a false one w/r/t the confiscations "sticking". Makes a good story, though.

[Harlan Huckleby]

back in the 80's , the feds were confiscating yachts when they found a joint onboard. It was a overzealous application of a law in the drug war frenzy. The intent of the law was fine, confiscate property fascilitating the drug trade. Sometimes prosecuters/cops overstep and get away with it.

Urban legend, and a false one w/r/t the confiscations "sticking". Makes a good story, though.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3D81138F932A35756C0A96E948260

New Policy on Illegal Drugs Permits U.S. to Seize Boats
AP Published: May 1, 1988
LEAD: The Reagan Administration has toughened its drug enforcement by allowing the Coast Guard to seize any boat or ship on which even a small amount of contraband is found, Transportation Secretary Jim Burnley said today.

The Reagan Administration has toughened its drug enforcement by allowing the Coast Guard to seize any boat or ship on which even a small amount of contraband is found, Transportation Secretary Jim Burnley said today.

Since the policy was enacted April 11, the Coast Guard has confiscated nine vessels - including a $300,000 yacht off the coast of Florida - that would not previously have been seized, officials said.

A confiscated boat must be returned to its owners only if the owner can disprove allegations that illegal drugs were found on board. Otherwise, the boat is turned over to the Customs Service, which can sell it at an auction.

[Patler]

back in the 80's , the feds were confiscating yachts when they found a joint onboard. It was a overzealous application of a law in the drug war frenzy. The intent of the law was fine, confiscate property fascilitating the drug trade. Sometimes prosecuters/cops overstep and get away with it.

Urban legend, and a false one w/r/t the confiscations "sticking". Makes a good story, though.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3D81138F932A35756C0A96E948260

New Policy on Illegal Drugs Permits U.S. to Seize Boats
AP Published: May 1, 1988
LEAD: The Reagan Administration has toughened its drug enforcement by allowing the Coast Guard to seize any boat or ship on which even a small amount of contraband is found, Transportation Secretary Jim Burnley said today.

The Reagan Administration has toughened its drug enforcement by allowing the Coast Guard to seize any boat or ship on which even a small amount of contraband is found, Transportation Secretary Jim Burnley said today.

Since the policy was enacted April 11, the Coast Guard has confiscated nine vessels - including a $300,000 yacht off the coast of Florida - that would not previously have been seized, officials said.

A confiscated boat must be returned to its owners only if the owner can disprove allegations that illegal drugs were found on board. Otherwise, the boat is turned over to the Customs Service, which can sell it at an auction.

Sorry, but your article means nothing. I never disputed the existence of the law, or that it could be used when smaller amounts of drugs were found than previously. The law was used extensively in the late 1980s early 1990s. It continues to be used in modified form today.

What I do dispute and characterize as an urban legend is your assertion that it was used to confiscate yachts "when they found a joint onboard". Those simply did not stick.

To confiscate vehicles (including boats) or "ill gotten gains" such as jewelry, etc. the amount of contraband had to meet the levels required to qualify as sufficient to infer intent to sell. A joint or a small amount that one would have for their own personal use was not enough.

I believe, but am not certain, that it has now been modified to require an amount sufficient for a higher standard of "drug trafficing" not just the lesser amount required to infer intent to sell.

[Rastak]

Was Pacman Jones's confiscation of his ride related to this law? In a funny note, he ended up buying it back in an auction....LOL

[Scott Campbell]

It would have been better to give Vick his day in court and PROVE the animal abuse charges.

Nobody put a gun to his head. And nobody threatened to drown, hang or electorcute him. His guilty plea was voluntary. He had the right to plead guilty. His handlers say he's all remorsefull and stuff now.

[Scott Campbell]

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

OK. Then prove it in court.

Guilty pleas count as proof.