Vick goes to court today....

[RashanGary]

SAS was on 1360 the other day talkign to Hannity's sub and he was saying that Vick isn't a "thug" he said thugs are guys who know how to make it work, guys who know how to survive on the street.

It's like everything black they want to talk up like it's some sort of gift to America. That's not a thug, that's a survivor. He just wants to change everything that is wrong with black culture into something good. This is something about black culture that he can't sugar coat. For some reason, I feel a satisfaction in shutting that guy up. Again, there are probably better ways to deal with it and if I sat here and talked it through I'd probably have a friendlier view but that was one of my first reactions.

Race is an issue. It just is. I don't want it to be and it becomes less so as I learn about the world but in this country, the tension is still high and it gets the worste of me sometimes.

[Iron Mike]

Don't watch this if you're easily offended:

Mike Vick's School For Disobedient Dogs

[Scott Campbell]

Yeah, it's bad. Like I said, I know it's wrong to feel this way but for some reason I get fed up with the race thing to the point where I resent it.

Some are trying to obscure the real issue by playing the race card. I don't buy it. It's a despicable act no matter what color skin the perpertrator possesses.

[Kiwon]

Hey, give credit to Michael Vick on this one.

Even he did not go down that road in his press statement although many of his defenders did.

Can you imagine all the racial crap had this thing gone to trial? The NFL is thrilled to have this thing settled before it inevitably began to split locker rooms with the press baiting the players into making inflammatory statements.

BTW, Keith Overbite and his social commentary segment at halftime has got to go. Football fans watch the game for enjoyment, not to get lectured to.

[Harlan Huckleby]

BTW, Keith Overbite and his social commentary segment at halftime has got to go. Football fans watch the game for enjoyment, not to get lectured to.

Ya, that was embarassingly bad. Out of place.

[Kiwon]

(Sorry, this is already posted elsewhere but I had to revive this thread for historical reasons. We've got the whole discussion of the case in here.)
.................................................. .....................................

Michael Vick sentenced to 23 months in jail

By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY

RICHMOND, Va. — Saying Michael Vick had not fully accepted responsibility for his role in a dogfighting ring, specifically regarding the killing of dogs that did not perform well, a federal judge Monday sentenced the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback to 23 months in prison.

When Vick entered a guilty plea in August, his agreement with prosecutors called for a recommended sentencing guideline of 12-18 months in prison.

However, a pre-sentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office included a guideline of 18-24 months, denying Vick an "acceptance of responsibility" credit. While Vick's attorneys argued against that finding in the pre-sentence report, the prosecution agreed with it and recommended in court that Vick be sentenced at the higher end.

"I'm convinced it was not a momentary lapse of judgment on your part. You were a full partner," Judge Henry E. Hudson told Vick, standing before him in a black-and-white striped prison uniform. "I'm not convinced you have fully accepted all of your responsibility for your criminal involvement in this venture."

Vick voluntarily entered prison three weeks ago to get a head start on his anticipated sentence. Federal inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentences. With a "good time" reduction in his sentence of up to 15% plus time served, Vick could be eligible for release in less than 19 months (summer of 2009).

"I have to make better decisions and use better judgment," Vick told the judge before he was sentenced.

Vick, who faced a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, also apologized to the court, his family and friends.

"I think you have to apologize also to the millions of young people who looked up to you," said the judge.

"Yes, sir," said Vick.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank called the sentencing another step in Vick's "legal journey."

"This is a difficult day for Michael's family and for a lot of us, including many of our players and fans who have been emotionally invested in Michael over the years," Blank said. "We sincerely hope that Michael will use this time to continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard."

Vick was suspended without pay by the NFL and lost all his lucrative endorsement deals. The league had no comment Monday on the judge's ruling.

In plea agreements by two other defendants in the case, they said they and Vick had executed dogs that had not performed well in testing, killing some by drowning and hanging.

The judge said Vick had given investigators conflicting statements regarding his role in killings and that the pre-sentence report said that at times he had "either denied involvement in killing the dogs" or "significantly" minimized his role.

Assistant U.S. attorney Michael Gill said, "You cannot shape the truth. You have to lay it out on the table."

Arguing that Vick had accepted responsibility in the case, his lead attorney, Billy Martin, told the judge, "We believe what Mr. Vick was doing was in no way trying to minimize, in no way trying to hide the facts from you."

While free on bond awaiting sentencing, Vick also was placed on partial home confinement after a report by his probation officer that Vick had tested positive for marijuana. The judge said Vick also had given conflicting statements about when he used marijuana, whether it was prior to his guilty plea or the day before the test.

Martin said Vick was "clinically depressed" at the time of the marijuana use. "What he attempted to do was self-medicate," said Martin.

After the sentencing, Martin spoke outside the courthouse.

"Michael has known from the very beginning that there were severe consequences to the bad judgment he used in engaging in dogfighting," said Martin. "He knows that the sentence Judge Hudson gave him today is a direct result of his conduct."

Another of Vick's attorneys, Lawrence Woodward, said the player didn't want anyone feeling sorry for him.

"He just wants a chance to prove himself when all this is over," he said. "But the other thing he said to me, which I also think is important for everyone to know, is that he understood that some of the things he was doing in life and off the field were dangerous, and he told me he feels lucky that he's alive and not hurt and now it's all about the future."

U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg sounded a similar theme.

"This was an efficient, professional, and thorough investigation that well exposed a seamy side of our society," he said in a statement. "I trust Mr. Vick learned important lessons and that his admission of guilt will speed his rehabilitation."

John Goodwin of the Humane Society of the United States called the sentence appropriate.

"People that are involved in this blood sport are on notice. You can throw your life away by being involved in this," he said.

Two co-defendants were sentenced Nov. 30. Purnell Peace, of Virginia Beach, got 18 months. Phillips, of Atlanta, got 21 months. Another co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced Friday.

[MadtownPacker]

"Federal inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentences."

I didnt know about this. Looks like vick will be spending next Xmas locked up too. Good .

[Deputy Nutz]

23 months, I don't know if this is an accurate sentence or not. On one hand he bet on the death and torture of living creatures. On the other hand 23 months, some child molesters don't get 23 months.

[Rastak]

23 months, I don't know if this is an accurate sentence or not. On one hand he bet on the death and torture of living creatures. On the other hand 23 months, some child molesters don't get 23 months.

True, so put child molesters away for longer, don't reduce this scumbags time in the clink.

[MJZiggy]

23 months, I don't know if this is an accurate sentence or not. On one hand he bet on the death and torture of living creatures. On the other hand 23 months, some child molesters don't get 23 months.

True, so put child molesters away for longer, don't reduce this scumbags time in the clink.

Or make it even easier and shoot the child molesters on their way in the door of the prison...(I'm not a big fan of child molesters).

[Kiwon]

.....people's memories are shorter than you think.

This is absolutely true. Cheats, liars, and crooks everywhere know this and count on it. Barry Bonds, anyone?

Vick will play football again somewhere, even possibly in the NFL.....if he cops a deal now.

Prisoners with good behavior typically serve less than half their sentences. On the dog fighting charges alone the max is 6 years. He'll be out in 3 or less pending that he keeps out of trouble in prison.

Written exactly 2 years ago today.........

This is a big I told you so!!

[Freak Out]

.....people's memories are shorter than you think.

This is absolutely true. Cheats, liars, and crooks everywhere know this and count on it. Barry Bonds, anyone?

Vick will play football again somewhere, even possibly in the NFL.....if he cops a deal now.

Prisoners with good behavior typically serve less than half their sentences. On the dog fighting charges alone the max is 6 years. He'll be out in 3 or less pending that he keeps out of trouble in prison.

Written exactly 2 years ago today.........

This is a big I told you so!!

I thought we had an oracle rat already?

[Kiwon]

.....people's memories are shorter than you think.

This is absolutely true. Cheats, liars, and crooks everywhere know this and count on it. Barry Bonds, anyone?

Vick will play football again somewhere, even possibly in the NFL.....if he cops a deal now.

Prisoners with good behavior typically serve less than half their sentences. On the dog fighting charges alone the max is 6 years. He'll be out in 3 or less pending that he keeps out of trouble in prison.

Written exactly 2 years ago today.........

This is a big I told you so!!

I thought we had an oracle rat already?

I just could not resist. I'm humble..........and I want everyone to know it!

[Rastak]

I say give him the recommended guidelines plus a some for the aggrevating circumstances. Judges words, not mine. He'll get a year and a half for the federal stuff at least and hopefully 2 or 3 for the local stuff. After 5 years of thinking about it in a cell he can then move on to a happy and healthy law abiding life. This is one sick dude and so are his friends. What fun bunch of guys to hang out with.

If you think he will serve his entire sentence, you are out of your mind. He spend a year in prison TOPS out of what he is actually sentenced.

I wish the hell I could respond directly to his statement and how it actually played out. I believe his words were "no way in hell".

[KYPack]

Written exactly 2 years ago today.........

This is a big I told you so!!

I thought we had an oracle rat already? [/quote]

I just could not resist. I'm humble..........and I want everyone to know it![/quote]

From the "pat yourself on the back" dept.

Actually, good call, Oh Korean One!