Saturday, August 25, 2007

 

Michael Vick Doesn't Get It

Michael Vick will plead guilty to federal dogfighting charges on Monday. Yesterday a Summary of Facts was filed with the US District Court in Richmond, VA. Some excerpts:

VICK and the co-conspirators operated "Bad Newz Kennels" for the dog fighting venture. VICK agrees that "Bad Newz Kennels" qualifies as a "business enterprise" that engaged in a continuous course of conduct and series of transactions in furtherance of the dog fighting operation from the time of its creation until April 25, 2007.


Simply an admission that the dogfighting activity of "Bad Newz Kennels" was exactly what the prosecution is charging that it was.

In general, only those accompanying the opposing kennels and "Bad Newz Kennels" associates were allowed to attend the fights. For a particular dog fight, the opponents would establish a purse or wager for the winning side, ranging from the 100's up to 1,000's of dollars. The purse was contingent and dependent on the uncertain outcome of the dog fight, with the winner taking all of the purse at the conclusion of the fight. Participants and spectators would also occasionally place side-bets on the fight, dependent on the ultimate outcome or certain events occurring during the course of the dog fight. Most of the "Bad Newz Kennels" operation and gambling monies were provided by VICK. When "Bad Newz Kennels" won a particular fight, the gambling proceeds were generally split by [Tony] TAYLOR, [Quanis L.] PHILLIPS, and, sometimes, [Purnell A.] PEACE. VICK did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. VICK did not receive any of the proceeds from the purses that were won by "Bad Newz Kennels." . . .


An admission that gambling did, in fact, occur at dogfighting events, but that Vick did not make wagers. This is important because if Vick were found to be wagering, it could mean a lifetime ban from the NFL. This portion of the statement seems to be trying to walk a thin line. Vick never made side bets, but he did provide money for purses. Money won in these purses was split by Vick's associates in the event of a "Bad Newz Kennels" win. In the event of a loss, Vick was the loser. So, Vick made bets, but his friends benefited from any wins. But they were still bets.

In or about April 2007, PEACE, PHILLIPS, VICK, and two others "rolled" or "tested" additional "Bad Newz Kennels" dogs by putting the dogs through fighting sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road to determine which animals were good fighters. PEACE, PHILLIPS, and VICK agreed to the killing of approximately 6-8 dogs that did not perform well in "testing" sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road and all of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning. VICK agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts of PEACE, PHILLIPS, and VICK


This is the part of the statement that will make everybody go batshit crazy. Dogs were killed in gruesome manners. Vick attempts to sidestep the issue as much as possible, dogs died as a result of the collective efforts of Vick and his associates, but Vick takes responsibility for these deaths.


The saddest thing I see when reading this statement is that Vick takes great pains to distance himself from the gambling aspects of the case while he readily admits to being involved in the killing of dogs. In my opinion, this is because Vick desperately wants to be able to remain in the NFL, a career that has earned him millions of dollars. Killing dogs will not jeopardize his status with the NFL, gambling will.

Vick could receive a lifetime ban from the NFL over any gambling allegations. He seems to be efforting to stay in the NFL's good graces rather than win this case. Vick is 27 years old. The sentence thrown around in this case is 12-18 months. That would be two NFL seasons. Throw in a one year suspension by the NFL to be served after his jail time and Vick could be back in the NFL by age 30, still at peak physical condition for an NFL quarterback.

Basically, I don't see Vick as even caring about the prison time. His accepted that he'll go to prison and is now trying only to prevent an NFL ban. I'll admit that I've never read a Summary of Facts preceding a guilty plea before, but reading this makes me think that Vick doesn't really care what the courts do to him. I killed dogs, I operated an illegal dogfighting operation, I put up money for purses in dogfights. I did not gamble. See NFL, I did not gamble. Don't ban me for life.

The judge does not have to accept this plea agreement, the judge can instead go ahead with a trial if he chooses. This won't happen for a number of reasons. Still the judge has more leeway than people seem to realize. Twelve to eighteen months? That's just what's reportedly been agreed to in the plea. The judge can sentence up to the maximum in this case if he sees fit.

With the plea merely an attempt to stay in the NFL's good graces, I'd love to see the judge in this case throw the book at him, to give Vick the maximum sentence.

Frankly though, I don't think it will matter. Vick essentially admits to gambling in the summary. Different terminology is used but it boils down to bets being placed by Vick. Whether Vick benefitted from these bets or not is inconsequential.

Additionally, Vick lied to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about this matter when the story broke. Goodell, a stickler for player conduct can't enjoy that along with all of the negative publicity this case has brought his league.

People seem to think a one year ban from the league is a forgone conclusion after Vick serves his prison time. I personally think, given Vick's public attitude over this story when it broke, the lies he told to Goodell, and the gambling aspects of the case that it will be longer. I don't think a lifetime ban is out of the question.

The big question is whether any definite suspension will be handed down before Vick goes to prison or when he's release sometime in 2009.

BOJ

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