Vick Reaches Plea Agreement On Dogfighting

[Hosnon]

Source: MSNBC.com

RICHMOND, Va. - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal — and a likely prison sentence — to avoid additional federal charges related to a professional dogfighting operation, one of Vick's attorneys said, the Virginian-Pilot reported Monday.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Monday, WXIA reported.

Vick will enter a guilty plea to the felony conspiracy charge next Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, said Lawrence Woodward, one of Vick's defense attorneys, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20350573 /

[BOSSHOG]

1. A question for you legal beagles!

Why would he have even been offered a plea? Doesn't the prosecution have enough on him already? And what would he possibly have to offer except a guilty plea?

I'm not arguing guilt, innocence, Falcons, Dogs or any other side bar argument on this story but I just don't understand the offer of a bargain to a man the prosecution has tons on.

[Gman]

2. For the prosecution, it saves tons of money associated with a trial

while assuring Vick will do some time/pay some penalty.

For the defense, a bird in the hand is worth a lot more than letting the whims of a jury decide.

[Hosnon]

3. Probably cost and efficiency concerns.

Less use of judicial resources, i.e., no trial, and less use of district attorney resources.

[MissMillie]

4. Also, he may be able to provide prosecutors with information about

others who fight dogs.

[Kagemusha]

5. To avoid having to go to trial.

Having the guy admit wrongdoing publicizes that admission of guilt far and wide, deters backing dogfighting in a loud, public way and avoids the cost and expense of a trial. This isn't the Teflon Don here. In the big picture, they're unlikely to put him away for that long, anyway, if sentencing guidelines for a first-time offender are properly followed.

Though, besides that, there's whether or not Vick would name other NFL players involved in this trash, or perhaps other persons as well. One kennel doesn't make for a dogfighting industry. But, you and I can't know that, so this is merely a possibility. I still think it's proper practice to get plea deals wherever you can. The time spent putting Vick on trial could be spent putting some other terrible person on trial instead. That's advancing the cause of justice.

[shain from kane]

6. Prevents a dogfight in court. n/t

[Virginia Dare]

8. Money, as others have said, plus I think I might know one other reason..

they've been after his cousin for big-time drug dealing for a while now and Vick would never roll over on him. This is orginally why the feds were on his property in the first place, they had a warrant to search in connection with the drug investigation. Possibly they were hanging all of this over his head as well.

[BOSSHOG]

9. Geez-Louise

Being investigated for drug dealing and then busted for doing hateful things to Dogs. I hope justice is served in large quantities all around. On Sports Reporters yesterday morning, they said Vick did a great job of making his brother finally look good.

[Virginia Dare]

10. I've followed the Vick brothers for quite some time now..

I've been hearing for years that they're both "good kids" stuck in a bad situation. I was always hoping and thinking they would finally leave all of the thuggery behind, but sadly, it wasn't to be.

[BOSSHOG]

11. While certainly no exact comparison

My brother and I could have claimed the same thing. We did not have the greatest of childhoods until I turned 12. Being in a bad situation is no excuse for anyone's behavior. Obviously it doesn't play well in court.

[Virginia Dare]

12. I hear you..

The Vick brothers were two of the lucky few who were able to escape the poverty and oppression of their youths. It's a shame they couldn't make something good from it.

[BOSSHOG]

7. THANK YALL FOR THE FEEDBACK

I guess ya get the sure think and from what I hear he will be doing time.

[cgrindley]

13. I hope he gets the full 36 months

jail's too good for this sick bastard.