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By LARRY O'DELL, APRICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 10) - Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing pit bulls.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson could have sentenced the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback to up to five years. Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting he bankrolled the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation and helped kill six to eight dogs.
He also admitted providing money for bets on the fights but said he never shared in any winnings.At a news conference after pleading guilty in August , Vick apologized to the NFL, the Falcons and youngsters who viewed him as a role model and vowed: "I will redeem myself."
After testing positive for marijuana - a violation of conditions set for his release - Vick was placed on a curfew and monitored electronically. He voluntarily began serving his sentence early and has been held since Nov. 19 at a jail in Warsaw, Va.
Court papers revealed gruesome details about Vick's dogfighting operation, including the execution of underperforming dogs by electrocution, drowning, hanging and other means. Those details prompted a public backlash against the once-popular NFL star and outraged animal-rights groups, which used the case to call attention to the brutality of dogfighting.
Vick was suspended without pay by the NFL and lost all his lucrative endorsement deals.
Two of Vick's co-defendants were sentenced Nov. 30. Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach got 18 months, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta 21 months. Another co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced Friday.
The case began in April when a drug investigation of Vick's cousin led authorities to the former Virginia Tech star's Surry County property, where they found dozens of pit bulls - some of them injured - and equipment associated with dogfighting.
Vick initially denied any knowledge about dogfighting on the property. He changed his story after the three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government.
Comments: (74)
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By: Mr. Malik on 12/10/2007 11:54AM
I have a 2-part comment:First, I trult dislike the treatment of this brother once he was charged with this crime and the way 'White America' attacks our heroes. No matter what y'all think, he was a hero, and still is, to many black children who come up in strife and make it through horrible conditions. I'm not condoning what he's done or anything in that nature, but he has takin' responsibility and is moving forward with his life, PETA needs to do the same. I am thoroughly convinced had this been Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, this would've been a much smaller situation, whether white people care to acknowledge this or not. Black athletes have a different standard that they are judged by, more so than their white counterparts, and that's been America from day one. Mike Vick represents all we've wanted to be, and all we've seen happen to us when we make a mistake, but people want to throw in the towel on his playing days for Dogfighting, yes, dogfighting. Which brings me to my second point, I know that if he and his co-defendants had been accused of murdering another HUMAN being, he wouldn't have this much media attention. A dogs life over a human one, I choose the HUMAN any day. The media, white people, are hyprocrites since the beginning of time, and remain so.
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By: Themthereeyez on 12/10/2007 11:57AM
This is so sad on so many different levels, mainly because it was avoidable. I'm from Hampton Roads - i was born in Newport News and raised in Hampton - and this is just ... I don't even know what to say. Hopefully this bullshit "keeping it real" mentality these negroes are holding onto will become less attractive as the years go by, because there is nothing to be gained from it. Part of me feels like he's getting a raw deal and part of me does not. These boys are gonna have to learn that we can't do what they do ... no black American can say they don't know that. But what can you do?
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By: True ATLien on 12/11/2007 12:10AM
I'm so glad that this man can now move on with his life now that he knows his sentence...I don't care what anyone says, I think his crime warrants nothing but a fine and a few games suspension from the NFL and that's all when it's all said and done, not a prison sentence. I'm STILL a Falcon fan (TEAM fan not just #7) and he needs to hurry up and get back to the Georgia Dome playing field!!
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By: LEROY TOMBA on 12/10/2007 12:11PM
HEY EVERONE---BLAME IT ON THE WHITE MAN. IT MUST BE A CONSPIRACY! MUST BE THE WHITE MAN'S FAULT. I'M SURE THOSE POSTS ARE COMING HERE! THIS SCUMBAG SHOULD BE "ELECTRIC SHOCKED" BY BUBBA WITH HIS LUBE!
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By: LEROY TOMBA on 12/10/2007 12:12PM
HEY EVERONE---BLAME IT ON THE WHITE MAN. IT MUST BE A CONSPIRACY! MUST BE THE WHITE MAN'S FAULT. I'M SURE THOSE POSTS ARE COMING HERE! THIS SCUMBAG SHOULD BE "ELECTRIC SHOCKED" BY BUBBA WITH HIS LUBE!
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By: Damn Shame on 12/10/2007 8:02PM
If he were white he'd get a slap on the wrist. Over some damn dogs, this is a damn shame. White people are obsessed with bringing down black people, they are just evil! Animal cruelty is wrong yes, but dog fighting is accepted and common in so many other cultures and communities. Hang in there Vick! I'm praying for you.
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By: hreimbeau on 12/10/2007 5:33PM
My personal opinion is that I believe the punishment is much to severe for the supposed crime. I don't believe in the cruelty of animals, but it's still very much harsh. This is nothing new, in fact, I recall seeing a show on HBO's Real Sport, where it was shown race horses having to go through grueling regiments to winning races. This horses are given steroids and other form of drugs to enhance their performance by the breeders. This is way more profitting than dog-fighting. I'm not supporting what Vick did, but the punishment is way to much. While he's career is definitely over I hope God will redeem him to still be able to leave a descent life. I believe he should have been fined a million dollar or more and be placed to support against animal mistreatment, and work in animal shelters. There are a lot of others, especially in the celebrity world who have done worst and got a slap on their hand. Note: I strongly feel that blacks (rappers, athletes, movie starts, musicians and etc.) need to keep their nozes clean at all time if they wish to stay successful. I think some of us have gotten to comfortable; believing the woods are safe and we can act in whatever fashion we wish.
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By: Mr. Malik on 12/10/2007 12:57PM
Nothin' to blame on the White man, Vick mad his choice, now he has to live with it...I made my comments towards ANY hyprocrites, mainly media and whites, who flee and demean you when you get into trouble, and you mf's wonder why blacks can't stand your actions and traditions. Beat it, bum...
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By: Lisa on 12/10/2007 1:51PM
I am so sick of some blacks who play the RACE CARD or blame the White Man for his troubles!
And I'm Black.
Michael Vick did a crime and now he must pay. Now that's justice! Black's, especially Black men know that the system was set up just for them. The Black man knows the system, you will get a much harsher and longer sentence, then any American Citizen in this country. Since you know this already, my question to you is,
"Why would (you) black (s) (men) go out and break the law, and commit crimes, do wrong things, that will get you lock up in the first place"?
Can you answer that question? I just don't understand!
Some of you have been bless by GOD, there have been blacks who have made a path for you, sacrifice their lives, sacrifice their freedom, just so you and I can have the American Dream. And what do some of you ba-fools do, you go and blow it! We as a people (black)are so ungrateful and we don't appreicate what others from the past have done for us.
Let me quote the person who made this statement in the very #1 posting "Black Athletes have a different standard that they are judge by" I would like to ask this person, this question then why don't Black Athletes, live their lives in a positive way? Stop breaking the LAW, Stop doing drugs (Barry Bonds, Strawberry, etc..) Stop cheating on your wives, etc...
Just because Black Athletes are judge harsher then white Athletes, doesn't mean that BLACK Americans should excuse or condne their behavior! PERIOD! Monkey see, Monkey do...don't make it right!
Black people we know for a fact that we are judge with racist eyes, heart and mind. We are judge in a negative light. Our punishment is going to be hard, long and severe. So why are we acting like we have been raised in the wild and don't know any better?!
Why can't we starting shinning our light in the positive way, instead of the negative way.
I do not feel sorry for michael vick, he got what he deserve PERIOD! Dogfighting to you, may be nothing, but it is cruel, it's cruel just to kill an animal when it has lost, or can no longer fight. God did't make animals, for us to use for blood sports, abuse, and then kill them. Dogs breath the same air as you and I do, and they deserve to live on this earth happly, peacefuly, just like you and I.
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By: Loukisha Leverette on 12/10/2007 1:28PM
Well I must say that if Micheal have confessed Christ and asked that he be forgiven then that's all that matter's in this. God forgives but us as people will never learn how to forgive. Like the word of God say that an unforgiven heart will not enter into the Kingdom of God. Yes he did the unjustly and so have alot of us but God forgave. If you have not sinned cast the first stone. He is popular so that's why this is such a big issue. I know that there are still people out there that cares for this man and his soul and I'm one of them. Micheal move on with your life know that mistakes make you a better person and God loves you still. I wish you nothing but the best and always know that there are people out there in this Big Wide World that's enterceeding for you. God Bless!!
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