why the hell would they give him a 2 year deal?? no reason to sign him to anything longer than a year - who knows what type of FOOTBALL shape he will be in!
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<< <i>why the hell would they give him a 2 year deal?? no reason to sign him to anything longer than a year - who knows what type of FOOTBALL shape he will be in! >>
I agree, 1 year deal to see how he preforms
Currently Collecting 1975 Topps Football PSA 9's - 10's
<< <i>Yup, just heard it on ESPN during the game. I figured he would be signed but to tell you the truth the Eagles surprises me. >>
I'm not that surprised by the Eagles, although I really thought he'd go to the Patriots. He'll be way less disruptive on a good team, rather than one of the bottom dwellers (like my Rams).
The man served his time, as much as people hate what he did to those dogs. He has a second chance and with the Eagles signing, he will sell more tickets and many, many #7 jerseys just as the commentators stated in tonights game. Eagles fans could strike and not buy tickets,but guess what, that will not happen.
Lots of Eagles fans are into dog fighting makes sense he signs with them. It was always going to be Oakland or the Eagles, because most of both of them teams fans are gang banging thugs he will fit right in.
<< <i>why the hell would they give him a 2 year deal?? no reason to sign him to anything longer than a year - who knows what type of FOOTBALL shape he will be in! >>
It's a one year contract with a one year team option worth 1.2 million and option 5.6 million.
As much as I would like to do horrible things to Vick and his defenders (payback can be fun), the idea of a second chance has some merit.
I would just hope that the Eagles management, who stand to profit handsomely from someone who delighted in pouring lighter fluid on small, furry creatures then mocked the fear in their eyes as they struggled to comprehend the pain they were suffering (yes, I live and work near Surry County and have been near his house many times) might donate a nickel or two to the brave people who devote their time to preventing and caring for the victims of cruelty against animals.
But hey, it gives me an excuse to sugar-tank any car with an Eagles sticker, and I haven't done that in yonks...
Yet another reason to dislike the pathetic Eagles...
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
I can see it now---PUNT---KICK---THROW---Puppy night competitons....Vick you are nothing but scum of the earth. Be glad i'm not interviewing you sunday night for your lovefest on 60 minutes. My first question would be--So Mike, when did you start bashing dogs heads in for fun? Was it at age 8, maybe 12? Did you skin any cats, you know, light em' on fire and stuff??
Thugs that abuse animals are the lowest people on the face of this earth. Along with child abusers, rapists, people that abuse the elderly, and lastly those that commit charitable fraud.
They wouldn't receive a second chance in my book.
Say you own some nice doggies and suppose Vick and his posse show up at your house. They take your dogs and decide to have them fight other dogs. The dogs that win, live. Those that lose, get tortured, drowned, and strangled.
Now how do you feel about Vick and what he did? Forgiveness? A second chance? Heck no!
More time in jail with some rapists is what's called for.
Remember, when these allegations first came out about the killing/torturing of dogs, Vick denied having anything to do with it. It wasn't until his buddies ratted on him for a better deal in the case, that Vick came clean.
He should be banned permanently for lying to Goodell in the first place.
He was judged and punished. If it disgusts you so much turn off the NFL or stop watching Eagles games.
I love dogs as much as anyone, but as someone who has been attacked by a pit bull on the street, I really don't consider them in the same class as other dogs.
I know "it's the owner, not the dog", but I don't think any other dog could have gone after me (and my dog) like that pit bull did.
<< <i> They wouldn't receive a second chance in my book. >>
Everyone deserves a second chance. A third? No. There is not a person alive who has not had to apologize for making a poor decision at a point in their life. Do I think what he did was bad? Yes, horrible and unforgivable. He's not asking for forgiveness. He's asking for a second chance to do good with his life. Who on this planet is so high and mighty to deny a guy a chance to do some honest good in this world. If you think he won't be spending hours and hours doing charity work for the ASPCA/AHS, don't kid yourself. Philly wouldn't have signed this without that specific stipulation. Is it so horrible that a guy will be able to use his fame to prevent further incidents?
There are penalties for crime in this country. He served his penalty. Now he gets his second chance. If you don't want to give people second chances, call your congressman and have them pass laws that carry a larger penalty for the crimes that you deem don't warrant a second chance. Until then, shut up.
<< <i> They wouldn't receive a second chance in my book. >>
Everyone deserves a second chance. A third? No. There is not a person alive who has not had to apologize for making a poor decision at a point in their life. Do I think what he did was bad? Yes, horrible and unforgivable. He's not asking for forgiveness. He's asking for a second chance to do good with his life. Who on this planet is so high and mighty to deny a guy a chance to do some honest good in this world. If you think he won't be spending hours and hours doing charity work for the ASPCA/AHS, don't kid yourself. Philly wouldn't have signed this without that specific stipulation. Is it so horrible that a guy will be able to use his fame to prevent further incidents?
There are penalties for crime in this country. He served his penalty. Now he gets his second chance. If you don't want to give people second chances, call your congressman and have them pass laws that carry a larger penalty for the crimes that you deem don't warrant a second chance. Until then, shut up. >>
Couldn't have said it better. We all are not perfect and we must learn from our mistakes. I am hoping a lot of good will come from something bad.
#LetsGoSwitzerlandThe Man Who Does Not Read Has No Advantage Over the Man Who Cannot Read. The biggest obstacle to progress is a habit of “buying what we want and begging for what we need.”You get the Freedom you fight for and get the Oppression you deserve.
<< <i>Stallworth should be in jail. How is it that you get more time for organizing dog fights than for negligently killing someone with your car? >>
Stallworth made a mistake. He was driving drunk and hit a guy who was actually in the road (a fact very rarely mentioned). Vick spent a ton of time and money organizing the torture and very painful deaths of animals who had no control over their situation. Vick served his time, but I still consider him to be a despicable human being.
Why isn't there an uproar over Leonard Little of the St. Louis Rams?. The guy drove drunk, killed one or two people, was reinstated. Drove drunk again, was reinstated. He's the perfect example of the 'thug' that everyone is mentioning in this thread, but no one ever mentions him. He only killed humans, right? I love dogs, BTW, but people seem to get a little unrealistic over this Vick matter. If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, would he have gone to jail for a year and a half?
<< <i> If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, would he have gone to jail for a year and a half? >>
Was Vick made an example of? Maybe. But this was a very large operation in which he was involved. If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, he also wouldnt have been able to provide the kind of financial support that he was providing.
<< <i> If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, would he have gone to jail for a year and a half? >>
Was Vick made an example of? Maybe. But this was a very large operation in which he was involved. If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, he also wouldnt have been able to provide the kind of financial support that he was providing. >>
Good point, but if anyone doesn't think he was made an example of because of his race and fame is silly...just like the potential sentence that Plaxico Burress is about to face. If he wasn't a famous athlete, this isn't even a case.
<< <i>Good point, but if anyone doesn't think he was made an example of because of his race and fame is silly...just like the potential sentence that Plaxico Burress is about to face. If he wasn't a famous athlete, this isn't even a case. >>
Aww dude, now you're gonna bring race into it? Isn't Dante Stallworth black?
If anyone is caught bringing a loaded handgun into a popular NY night club, I'm pretty sure they would receive a very stiff sentence, regardless of race.
<< <i>Good point, but if anyone doesn't think he was made an example of because of his race and fame is silly...just like the potential sentence that Plaxico Burress is about to face. If he wasn't a famous athlete, this isn't even a case. >>
Aww dude, now you're gonna bring race into it? Isn't Dante Stallworth black?
If anyone is caught bringing a loaded handgun into a popular NY night club, I'm pretty sure they would receive a very stiff sentence, regardless of race. >>
If Burress gets the sentence they're discussing (possibly 2 years, I believe), that's excessive, in my mind.
Donte Stallworth served about 20 days in jail for killing a human being...utterly ridiculous, if you ask me.
As a Cowboy fan I would like to thank the Eagles management for making the Cowboys look good. Wow, the T.O, Tank Johnson and Pacman Jones pickups don't look so bad now huh. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < LETS PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!!!
After he was convicted and sent to federal prison, some of Vick’s memorabilia from his football career was left at the Sugarloaf mansion. These items are being held for safekeeping by Vick’s former Falcons teammate Demorrio Williams, now with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Contrary to the movies, the outcome of your criminal case is largely dependent upon your financial output at the frontend of your case.
That "outcome" begins to take shape on the first day a defendant is arrested.
Vick paid Billy Martin $500,000 for defending him against the federal dogfighting charges. Vick paid Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Daniel R. Meachum $200,000. (Those numbers were furnished by the laywers, and seem VERY LOW to me.)
The most important quality of a criminal-defense lawyer - other than being a CRIMINAL defense-lawyer - is the ability to make sure his client is "undercharged for his offenses." In this regard ALONE, Vick's lawyers earned every cent they were paid.
Vick was charged by Federal prosecutors with a SINGLE count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering and dog-fighting. The statutory maximum for this offense was five years. If the government had issued an indictment beyond the conspiracy charges, his statutory maximum penalty under RICO would have jumped to 20-years or more.
Vick's lawyers acted prudently by pleading their guy out FAST; to charges that ANY first year prosecutor could have made MUCH worse.
................
Some reminders about "what happened" here:
April 25, 2007 The State Investigation: Cops "Stumble Upon" A Crime Ring
When Davon Boddie, Vick’s cousin, was arrested on drug charges, he gave Vick's property as his address.
Surry County authorities searching the property found probable cause to obtain a second search warrant for animal cruelty/dogfighting. Police discovered:
approximately 54 dogs, mostly pitbulls, some with scars and injuries; most were underfed
about half of the dogs were chained to car axles and just out of reach of each other, a typical arrangement for fighting dogs
a blood-stained fighting area
animal training and breeding equipment, including a “rape stand”, a device in which a female dog who is too aggressive to submit to males for breeding is strapped down with her head in a restraint
a “break” or “parting” stick, used to pry open fighting dogs' mouths during fights
treadmills and “slat mills” used to condition fighting dogs
assorted paperwork documenting involvement in animal fighting ventures
performance-enhancing drugs commonly used to increase the fighting potential in dogs, as well as to keep injured dogs fighting longer.
Vick initially placed blame for the dogfight enterprise on family members who lived at the property, and he claimed that he never visited the property.
May 22, 2007: His fellow thugs step-up
......reported by the Associated Press, two other football players defended Vick and ridiculed the idea that dogfighting is a crime:
…In an interview with WAVY-TV, (Clinton) Portis said that if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is charged and convicted of being involved in a dog fighting operation, then authorities would be "putting him behind bars for no reason."
"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."
Portis said dog fighting is a "prevalent" part of life.
Portis, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, added: "I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they're not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I'm sure there's some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else."
"Politicians," added (Chris) Samuels, who found it hard to keep from giggling while Portis was talking.
"Presidents," added Portis with a laugh.
......
August 24, 2007: Vick is suspended "indefinitely" from the NFL.
August 27, 2007: Vick entered a guilty plea Monday, August 27, 2007 to conspiracy charges in Federal Court.
August 29, 2007: "I'm upset with myself and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God," he said in a statement on Monday. "I think that's the right thing to do as of right now."
September 25, 2007: A grand jury in Surry County, Virginia brought two felony charges against Vick. One count was for “unlawfully torturing and killing dogs” and one for “promoting dogfights.” Each charge carried a possible 5 year prison term.
October 12, 2007 The Federal Case – Vick Lied about Killing Dogs
Even after pleading guilty to the federal charges, Vick had not admitted to hands-on participation in the killing of poorly performing dogs. Investigators got conflicting statements from Vick’s co-conspirators. An FBI agent questioned Vick for five hours and gave him a polygraph test that indicated he was lying. Vick finally admitted to killing two dogs. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gill, Vick told the polygrapher, "I carried a dog over to Quanis Phillips, who tied a rope around its neck. I dropped the dog."
November 19, 2007 The Federal Case – Vick Reports Early to Prison
In a single day, Vick bought a $99,000 Mercedes; he cashed checks that totaled $24,900; he gave $44,000 to friends and relations; he paid a public relations firm $23,000; and then he reported to prison. In less than 3 months since the day he pled guilty to federal charges, Vick spent over $3 million.
December 10, 2007 The Federal Case - Sentencing
At the sentencing hearing, due to Vick’s deliberate false statements to federal investigators about his role in killing dogs, the prosecutor recommended Vick be sentenced at the upper end of the 12-18 month guideline range. Vick had also lied to investigators about testing positive for marijuana in September, a violation of the terms of his release on bail.
July 7, 2008
Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with assets around $16 million and liabilities over $20 million.
November 25, 2008 The State Case – Guilty Pleas
Each defendant pled guilty to dogfighting. Cruelty to animals charges were dropped. Each received a three-year suspended prison term and a $2,500 fine, which will also be suspended if they pay court costs and follow probation requirements for four years.
According to AP, after the hearing, Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter approached Vick's mother and hugged her, saying, "At least some of this is over."
Upon resolving the state charges, Vick became eligible to complete his federal prison term in a halfway house, rather than remain in federal prison until his scheduled release date of July 20, 2009.
Michael Vick BK Updates
Vick appeared in U.S. bankruptcy court in Newport News, Va., on Thursday for a hearing on the fees his lawyers are seeking in the case. Vick's lead bankruptcy lawyers from Crowell & Moring had asked the court to approve more than $2.6 million in fees and expenses for 7,200 billable hours of work over ten months.
"I don't understand how that happens," U.S. bankruptcy judge Frank Santoro said at the hearing, according to The Associated Press. (The billable time would equate to working 24 hours a day on the Vick case for 300 straight days.)
Vick's criminal lawyers, Billy Martin and Lawrence Woodward, Jr., asked Santoro to take a close look at the Crowell fee requests, some of which included the cost of running an air conditioner on a weekend.
The U.S. trustee and several of Vick's major creditors also claimed that the fees were excessive. Recent court filings show that Crowell has agreed to slash its request for compensation to $1.7 million in fees and expenses.
Judge Santoro refused to approve the new fee request by Crowell, but said he would revisit the fee issue at a confirmation hearing in the case scheduled for late August. Santoro has set a deadline of summer's end to resolve the case, having rejected an earlier reorganization plan filed by Vick's lawyers in April.
Vick's local bankruptcy counsel, Paul Campsen and Dennis Lewandowski from Virginia's Kaufman & Canoles, have sought to be reimbursed for $418,561 in fees and expenses.
Norfolk firm Willcox & Savage, counsel to Vick's unsecured creditors' committee, has sought reimbursement for $775,744 in fees and expenses.
.........
Additional Bankruptcy notes:
In early 2007, before he was indicted, Vick gave his younger brother, former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Marcus Vick, about $450,000 worth of jewelry as a gift. However, the bling, which includes a Breitling watch and diamond stud earrings, may not have been Vick’s to give. It’s unclear whether Vick made payments on the merchandise to Atlanta jeweler Aydin & Co., or whether Aydin gave Vick the jewelry to wear as a promotion for the company.
“There is an issue as to who owns the jewelry,” the Crowell & Moring lawyers wrote in the court filing.
Vick gave his brother, Marcus, a 2007 Land Rover. He gave his mother two Cadillacs, and his fiancée a 2007 Infiniti.
Vick gave his former personal manager, David Talbot, a 2008 Mercedes and $35,000 in cash as part of his compensation. Vick’s bankruptcy attorneys later learned, however, that Talbot had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection on three separate occasions, and also had had multiple legal judgments filed against him. Additionally, shortly after Vick filed for bankruptcy protection, New Jersey state officials filed a complaint against Talbot alleging civil securities fraud.
////////////////////////////// //////////////
Even his Fed probation officer implied that the guy lied, refused to accept responsibility for anything, and was only remorseful about getting caught.
Since no jury ever dealt with this guy, I don't see any "race issue." Modern judges look mostly at guidelines and formulas; they really don't care much what color the players are.
This guy appears to be a serial fraudster/liar and a gangster. On a novel theory of "employer liability," the NFL and the team that has hired this guy, might ought to set aside some reserve funds to defend THEMSELVES against the legal actions that WILL flow if the guy commits his next misadventure and some PEOPLE end up dead.
The guy has paid his debt to the criminal justice system. The problem might be that the system allows rich-defendants to determine what that debt is. Public Defenders are not capable of delivering the kind of "justice" that Vick got.
It amuses me that the same NFL guys that Vick repeatedly lied to about his "involvement" in the crimes, had ZERO problems letting him back in. Must be the AFM club; Anything For Money.
I gave up on those gladiators a long time ago, and REALLY have no objection to the guy playing football. I will not spend ANY money, but I will likely watch a little for free.
.......
Funny that Vick never bet on the dog fights himself. (His money "may have" helped fund the book, though.)
Pete Rose said he never bet either, until he finally came clean. What happened to Pete? Oh yes; still banned for life by MLB.
Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
Comments
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
Steve
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<< <i>why the hell would they give him a 2 year deal?? no reason to sign him to anything longer than a year - who knows what type of FOOTBALL shape he will be in! >>
I agree, 1 year deal to see how he preforms
<< <i>Yup, just heard it on ESPN during the game. I figured he would be signed but to tell you the truth the Eagles surprises me. >>
I'm not that surprised by the Eagles, although I really thought he'd go to the Patriots. He'll be way less disruptive on a good team, rather than one of the bottom dwellers (like my Rams).
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
i guess its good to have a felony under your belt. you get to do what you want and be paid tons of money that you don't deserve.
i am so disappointed with the nlf for letting him come back.
looking for PELLE LINDBERGH's psa and 1960 fleer baseball psa 8 and up
sets in progress
R.I.P. Barstow 24 April 1999 - May 15 2009
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Looking for 1970 MLB Photostamps
- uncut
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It was always going to be Oakland or the Eagles, because most of both of them
teams fans are gang banging thugs he will fit right in.
Good luck Vick
James
<< <i>why the hell would they give him a 2 year deal?? no reason to sign him to anything longer than a year - who knows what type of FOOTBALL shape he will be in! >>
It's a one year contract with a one year team option worth 1.2 million and option 5.6 million.
I would just hope that the Eagles management, who stand to profit handsomely from someone who delighted in pouring lighter fluid on small, furry creatures then mocked the fear in their eyes as they struggled to comprehend the pain they were suffering (yes, I live and work near Surry County and have been near his house many times) might donate a nickel or two to the brave people who devote their time to preventing and caring for the victims of cruelty against animals.
But hey, it gives me an excuse to sugar-tank any car with an Eagles sticker, and I haven't done that in yonks...
looking for PELLE LINDBERGH's psa and 1960 fleer baseball psa 8 and up
sets in progress
R.I.P. Barstow 24 April 1999 - May 15 2009
"Molon Labe"
"Molon Labe"
Wonder if he stayed in shape in the slammer?
Someone should interview his jailhouse girl friend, Bubba and find out?
rd
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Smokestack Lightning (Live) 1968
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Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i>
anyways - good for Vick. He didn't get off like most people with celebrity status do and then did his time.
Patrick
<< <i>Hide your beagle, Vick is an Eagle! >>
Dog Market in South Korea (Yummy!)
DOG FIGHTING!
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Smokestack Lightning (Live) 1968
Quicksilver Messenger Service - The Hat (Live) 1971
I can see it now---PUNT---KICK---THROW---Puppy night competitons....Vick you are nothing but scum of the earth. Be glad i'm not interviewing you sunday night for your lovefest on 60 minutes. My first question would be--So Mike, when did you start bashing dogs heads in for fun? Was it at age 8, maybe 12? Did you skin any cats, you know, light em' on fire and stuff??
.........................................> In the Arms ofThe Angel (Dog Abuse) - Sara McLachlan
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Smokestack Lightning (Live) 1968
Quicksilver Messenger Service - The Hat (Live) 1971
They wouldn't receive a second chance in my book.
Say you own some nice doggies and suppose Vick and his posse show up at your house. They take your dogs and decide to have them fight other dogs. The dogs that win, live. Those that lose, get tortured, drowned, and strangled.
Now how do you feel about Vick and what he did?
Forgiveness? A second chance? Heck no!
More time in jail with some rapists is what's called for.
Remember, when these allegations first came out about the killing/torturing of dogs, Vick denied having anything to do with it. It wasn't until his buddies ratted on him for a better deal in the case, that Vick came clean.
He should be banned permanently for lying to Goodell in the first place.
<< <i>lastly those that commit charitable fraud >>
Hey one of the bigger auction house owners went to jail for this but he also got a second chance.
<< <i>vick and stallworth should both be flipping burgers at mcdonalds >>
Stallworth should be in jail. How is it that you get more time for organizing dog fights than for negligently killing someone with your car?
That is exactly what I am hoping he gets, a break. It could be a leg, some ribs, his neck...I'm not too picky. Total scumbag.
I love dogs as much as anyone, but as someone who has been attacked by a pit bull on the street, I really don't consider them in the same class as other dogs.
I know "it's the owner, not the dog", but I don't think any other dog could have gone after me (and my dog) like that pit bull did.
<< <i>
They wouldn't receive a second chance in my book.
>>
Everyone deserves a second chance. A third? No. There is not a person alive who has not had to apologize for making a poor decision at a point in their life. Do I think what he did was bad? Yes, horrible and unforgivable. He's not asking for forgiveness. He's asking for a second chance to do good with his life. Who on this planet is so high and mighty to deny a guy a chance to do some honest good in this world. If you think he won't be spending hours and hours doing charity work for the ASPCA/AHS, don't kid yourself. Philly wouldn't have signed this without that specific stipulation. Is it so horrible that a guy will be able to use his fame to prevent further incidents?
There are penalties for crime in this country. He served his penalty. Now he gets his second chance. If you don't want to give people second chances, call your congressman and have them pass laws that carry a larger penalty for the crimes that you deem don't warrant a second chance. Until then, shut up.
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<< <i>
<< <i>
They wouldn't receive a second chance in my book.
>>
Everyone deserves a second chance. A third? No. There is not a person alive who has not had to apologize for making a poor decision at a point in their life. Do I think what he did was bad? Yes, horrible and unforgivable. He's not asking for forgiveness. He's asking for a second chance to do good with his life. Who on this planet is so high and mighty to deny a guy a chance to do some honest good in this world. If you think he won't be spending hours and hours doing charity work for the ASPCA/AHS, don't kid yourself. Philly wouldn't have signed this without that specific stipulation. Is it so horrible that a guy will be able to use his fame to prevent further incidents?
There are penalties for crime in this country. He served his penalty. Now he gets his second chance. If you don't want to give people second chances, call your congressman and have them pass laws that carry a larger penalty for the crimes that you deem don't warrant a second chance. Until then, shut up. >>
Couldn't have said it better. We all are not perfect and we must learn from our mistakes. I am hoping a lot of good will come from something bad.
<< <i>Stallworth should be in jail. How is it that you get more time for organizing dog fights than for negligently killing someone with your car? >>
<< <i>Stallworth should be in jail. How is it that you get more time for organizing dog fights than for negligently killing someone with your car? >>
Stallworth made a mistake. He was driving drunk and hit a guy who was actually in the road (a fact very rarely mentioned). Vick spent a ton of time and money organizing the torture and very painful deaths of animals who had no control over their situation. Vick served his time, but I still consider him to be a despicable human being.
<< <i> If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, would he have gone to jail for a year and a half? >>
Was Vick made an example of? Maybe. But this was a very large operation in which he was involved. If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, he also wouldnt have been able to provide the kind of financial support that he was providing.
<< <i>
<< <i> If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, would he have gone to jail for a year and a half? >>
Was Vick made an example of? Maybe. But this was a very large operation in which he was involved. If he wasn't in the limelight as an athlete, he also wouldnt have been able to provide the kind of financial support that he was providing. >>
Good point, but if anyone doesn't think he was made an example of because of his race and fame is silly...just like the potential sentence that Plaxico Burress is about to face. If he wasn't a famous athlete, this isn't even a case.
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<< <i>Good point, but if anyone doesn't think he was made an example of because of his race and fame is silly...just like the potential sentence that Plaxico Burress is about to face. If he wasn't a famous athlete, this isn't even a case. >>
Aww dude, now you're gonna bring race into it? Isn't Dante Stallworth black?
If anyone is caught bringing a loaded handgun into a popular NY night club, I'm pretty sure they would receive a very stiff sentence, regardless of race.
<< <i>What's he gonna play? Henley and Frey already have somebody on bass and lead guitar. >>
Funniest thing I've read all day.
BTW, he could always play tamborine or triangle
<< <i>
<< <i>Good point, but if anyone doesn't think he was made an example of because of his race and fame is silly...just like the potential sentence that Plaxico Burress is about to face. If he wasn't a famous athlete, this isn't even a case. >>
Aww dude, now you're gonna bring race into it? Isn't Dante Stallworth black?
If anyone is caught bringing a loaded handgun into a popular NY night club, I'm pretty sure they would receive a very stiff sentence, regardless of race. >>
If Burress gets the sentence they're discussing (possibly 2 years, I believe), that's excessive, in my mind.
Donte Stallworth served about 20 days in jail for killing a human being...utterly ridiculous, if you ask me.
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LETS PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!!!
was left at the Sugarloaf mansion. These items are being held for safekeeping by Vick’s former
Falcons teammate Demorrio Williams, now with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Contrary to the movies, the outcome of your criminal case is largely dependent upon your
financial output at the frontend of your case.
That "outcome" begins to take shape on the first day a defendant is arrested.
Vick paid Billy Martin $500,000 for defending him against the federal dogfighting charges.
Vick paid Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Daniel R. Meachum $200,000. (Those numbers
were furnished by the laywers, and seem VERY LOW to me.)
The most important quality of a criminal-defense lawyer - other than being a CRIMINAL
defense-lawyer - is the ability to make sure his client is "undercharged for his offenses."
In this regard ALONE, Vick's lawyers earned every cent they were paid.
Vick was charged by Federal prosecutors with a SINGLE count of conspiracy to engage
in racketeering and dog-fighting. The statutory maximum for this offense was five years.
If the government had issued an indictment beyond the conspiracy charges, his statutory
maximum penalty under RICO would have jumped to 20-years or more.
Vick's lawyers acted prudently by pleading their guy out FAST; to charges that ANY first
year prosecutor could have made MUCH worse.
................
Some reminders about "what happened" here:
April 25, 2007 The State Investigation: Cops "Stumble Upon" A Crime Ring
When Davon Boddie, Vick’s cousin, was arrested on drug charges, he gave Vick's property as his address.
Surry County authorities searching the property found probable cause to obtain a second search warrant for animal cruelty/dogfighting. Police discovered:
approximately 54 dogs, mostly pitbulls, some with scars and injuries; most were underfed
about half of the dogs were chained to car axles and just out of reach of each other, a typical arrangement for fighting dogs
a blood-stained fighting area
animal training and breeding equipment, including a “rape stand”, a device in which a female dog who is too aggressive to submit to males for breeding is strapped down with her head in a restraint
a “break” or “parting” stick, used to pry open fighting dogs' mouths during fights
treadmills and “slat mills” used to condition fighting dogs
assorted paperwork documenting involvement in animal fighting ventures
performance-enhancing drugs commonly used to increase the fighting potential in dogs, as well as to keep injured dogs fighting longer.
Vick initially placed blame for the dogfight enterprise on family members who lived at the property,
and he claimed that he never visited the property.
May 22, 2007: His fellow thugs step-up
......reported by the Associated Press, two other football players defended Vick and ridiculed the idea that dogfighting is a crime:
…In an interview with WAVY-TV, (Clinton) Portis said that if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is charged and convicted of being involved in a dog fighting operation, then authorities would be "putting him behind bars for no reason."
"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."
Portis said dog fighting is a "prevalent" part of life.
Portis, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, added: "I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they're not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I'm sure there's some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else."
"Politicians," added (Chris) Samuels, who found it hard to keep from giggling while Portis was talking.
"Presidents," added Portis with a laugh.
......
August 24, 2007: Vick is suspended "indefinitely" from the NFL.
August 27, 2007: Vick entered a guilty plea Monday, August 27, 2007 to conspiracy charges in Federal Court.
August 29, 2007: "I'm upset with myself and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for
forgiveness and turned my life over to God," he said in a statement on Monday. "I think that's the right thing to
do as of right now."
September 25, 2007: A grand jury in Surry County, Virginia brought two felony charges against Vick. One count
was for “unlawfully torturing and killing dogs” and one for “promoting dogfights.” Each charge carried a possible
5 year prison term.
October 12, 2007 The Federal Case – Vick Lied about Killing Dogs
Even after pleading guilty to the federal charges, Vick had not admitted to hands-on participation in the killing of poorly performing dogs. Investigators got conflicting statements from Vick’s co-conspirators. An FBI agent questioned Vick for five hours and gave him a polygraph test that indicated he was lying. Vick finally admitted to killing two dogs. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gill, Vick told the polygrapher, "I carried a dog over to Quanis Phillips, who tied a rope around its neck. I dropped the dog."
November 19, 2007 The Federal Case – Vick Reports Early to Prison
In a single day, Vick bought a $99,000 Mercedes; he cashed checks that totaled $24,900; he gave $44,000 to friends and relations; he paid a public relations firm $23,000; and then he reported to prison. In less than 3 months since the day he pled guilty to federal charges, Vick spent over $3 million.
December 10, 2007 The Federal Case - Sentencing
At the sentencing hearing, due to Vick’s deliberate false statements to federal investigators about his role in killing dogs, the prosecutor recommended Vick be sentenced at the upper end of the 12-18 month guideline range. Vick had also lied to investigators about testing
positive for marijuana in September, a violation of the terms of his release on bail.
July 7, 2008
Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with assets around $16 million and liabilities over $20 million.
November 25, 2008 The State Case – Guilty Pleas
Each defendant pled guilty to dogfighting. Cruelty to animals charges were dropped. Each received a three-year suspended prison term and a $2,500 fine, which will also be suspended if they pay court costs and follow probation requirements for four years.
According to AP, after the hearing, Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter approached Vick's mother and hugged her, saying, "At least some of this is over."
Upon resolving the state charges, Vick became eligible to complete his federal prison term in a halfway house, rather than remain in federal prison until his scheduled release date of July 20, 2009.
Michael Vick BK Updates
Vick appeared in U.S. bankruptcy court in Newport News, Va., on Thursday for a hearing on the fees his lawyers are seeking in the case. Vick's lead bankruptcy lawyers from Crowell & Moring had asked the court to approve more than $2.6 million in fees and expenses for 7,200 billable hours of work over ten months.
"I don't understand how that happens," U.S. bankruptcy judge Frank Santoro said at the hearing, according to The Associated Press. (The billable time would equate to working 24 hours a day on the Vick case for 300 straight days.)
Vick's criminal lawyers, Billy Martin and Lawrence Woodward, Jr., asked Santoro to take a close look at the Crowell fee requests, some of which included the cost of running an air conditioner on a weekend.
The U.S. trustee and several of Vick's major creditors also claimed that the fees were excessive. Recent court filings show that Crowell has agreed to slash its request for compensation to $1.7 million in fees and expenses.
Judge Santoro refused to approve the new fee request by Crowell, but said he would revisit the fee issue at a confirmation hearing in the case scheduled for late August. Santoro has set a deadline of summer's end to resolve the case, having rejected an earlier reorganization plan filed by Vick's lawyers in April.
Vick's local bankruptcy counsel, Paul Campsen and Dennis Lewandowski from Virginia's Kaufman & Canoles, have sought to be reimbursed for $418,561 in fees and expenses.
Norfolk firm Willcox & Savage, counsel to Vick's unsecured creditors' committee, has sought reimbursement for $775,744 in fees and expenses.
.........
Additional Bankruptcy notes:
In early 2007, before he was indicted, Vick gave his younger brother, former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Marcus Vick, about $450,000 worth of jewelry as a gift. However, the bling, which includes a Breitling watch and diamond stud earrings, may not have been Vick’s to give. It’s unclear whether Vick made payments on the merchandise to Atlanta jeweler Aydin & Co., or whether Aydin gave Vick the jewelry to wear as a promotion for the company.
“There is an issue as to who owns the jewelry,” the Crowell & Moring lawyers wrote in the court filing.
Vick gave his brother, Marcus, a 2007 Land Rover. He gave his mother two Cadillacs, and his fiancée a 2007 Infiniti.
Vick gave his former personal manager, David Talbot, a 2008 Mercedes and $35,000 in cash as part of his compensation. Vick’s bankruptcy attorneys later learned, however, that Talbot had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection on three separate occasions, and also had had multiple legal judgments filed against him. Additionally, shortly after Vick filed for bankruptcy protection, New Jersey state officials filed a complaint against Talbot alleging civil securities fraud.
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Even his Fed probation officer implied that the guy lied, refused to accept responsibility
for anything, and was only remorseful about getting caught.
Since no jury ever dealt with this guy, I don't see any "race issue." Modern judges look
mostly at guidelines and formulas; they really don't care much what color the players are.
This guy appears to be a serial fraudster/liar and a gangster. On a novel theory of "employer
liability," the NFL and the team that has hired this guy, might ought to set aside some reserve
funds to defend THEMSELVES against the legal actions that WILL flow if the guy commits his
next misadventure and some PEOPLE end up dead.
The guy has paid his debt to the criminal justice system. The problem might be that the system
allows rich-defendants to determine what that debt is. Public Defenders are not capable of delivering
the kind of "justice" that Vick got.
It amuses me that the same NFL guys that Vick repeatedly lied to about his "involvement" in the
crimes, had ZERO problems letting him back in. Must be the AFM club; Anything For Money.
I gave up on those gladiators a long time ago, and REALLY have no objection to the guy playing
football. I will not spend ANY money, but I will likely watch a little for free.
.......
Funny that Vick never bet on the dog fights himself. (His money "may have" helped fund
the book, though.)
Pete Rose said he never bet either, until he finally came clean. What happened to Pete? Oh yes; still banned for life by MLB.