Michael Vick now on a fast track to prison
August 14, 2007 at 9:55 am by Scott Freeman in News, SportsNews yesterday that Michael Vick’s remaining two co-defendants have decided to plead guilty and cooperate with federal prosecutors means only one thing: The beleaguered former (yes, we might as well get used to using “former”) Falcons quarterback is now on a fast track to federal prison.
ESPN.com reports that Vick’s attorneys have already met with the U.S. attorney’s office in Richmond, Va., and that Vick must now decide whether to fight against the odds, or make a deal with the prosecutors:
A source close to the investigation told [ESPN] that Vick has until Friday to make up his mind whether to accept a plea agreement. Otherwise a superseding indictment will be filed and Vick will face at least two more federal dogfighting charges.
Vick is backed into a corner. He can either cut the best deal he can at this point, or gamble on a trial. With three co-defendants and at least four other confidential informants prepared to testify against him, he faces an almost certain conviction if there is a trial. Either way, a prison term for Michael Vick now seems inescapable.
Federal sentencing guidelines are very structured and the judge has little leeway. Based on my experience covering federal courts, if Vick goes to trial and is found guilty, he will likely go to prison for the next five to six years. And even longer if a new indictment with additional charges is handed up by the grand jury. If he accepts a plea agreement, he could probably get out in two to three years.
So there’s strong incentive for Vick to deal at this point, if only because it could allow him to salvage his football career once he gets out of prison.
This much now appears all but certain: Vick will likely spend at least part of his prime athletic years behind bars. He might come back after his release, if the NFL allows him to play. But even if that happens, he will never again be the Michael Vick who made Atlanta fall in love with him. Neither as the daring athlete who seemed to be Superman personified on the football field, nor as the cultural icon we thought we knew.
The sad fact is this: In the wake of yesterday’s news, Michael Vick’s career as a NFL star is over.
August 14th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
They’re just dogs, man. They’re just dogs.
August 14th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
It has been said that you can judge a persons’ character by how they treat those weaker than themselves. Domestic animals rely on us for everything, including humane treatment. Shooting, hanging, electrocuting, strangling, and beating dogs bred to fight for their masters’ amusement is cruel beyond the pale.