Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 03:28:45 PM EST
Tags: Michael Vick (all tags)

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I wonder if Michael Vick is sorry now that he surrendered on Thanksgiving weekend to start serving his sentence. It doesn't seem like it made a bit of difference. A federal judge today sentenced Vick to 23 months in prison.

Even though Vick pleaded guilty and surrendered early to begin serving his sentence, and the plea agreement (pdf) contemplated a two point "acceptance of responsibility" reduction, the Judge didn't give it to him. Nor does it seem he got a cooperation reduction which the Government said it might request if he provided helpful and truthful information.

The Plea Agreeement also said the prosecutor would ask for a sentence at the low end of the applicable guideline range, but the AP says it asked for a sentence at the high end. Sounds like Government doesn't think Vick held up his end of the bargain.

[More...]

Vick was denied any credit for taking responsibility for his crime. Hudson agreed with a federal probation officer's finding that Vick had lied about his hands-on killing of dogs and about his drug use. Vick tested positive for marijuana Sept. 13, violating conditions of his release while he awaited sentencing.

Hudson recalled that Vick at one point said he only handed over two dogs to co-defendant Quanis Phillips, who killed them. On another occasion, Vick said he dropped a dog after Phillips tied a rope around the animal's neck, the judge added. "I'm not convinced you've fully accepted responsibility," Hudson told Vick.

According to court documents:

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.

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Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months | 13 comments (13 topical)

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As much as Vick disgusts me, (none / 0) (#1)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 03:45:06 PM EST

23 months is too much. Maybe VA Gov Kaine will take a page from Huckabee's playbook and offer him a pardon. Not likely.

I am not sure (none / 0) (#2)
by Wile ECoyote on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 03:47:22 PM EST

a state gov. can pardon a federal crime.

Well, there you go. It's up to GW. (none / 0) (#4)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 03:50:47 PM EST

Cue wholly-lacking-in-any-originality-whatsoever-anti-Bush comments...

[ Parent ]

You mean like... (none / 0) (#5)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 04:17:37 PM EST

...W's response to calls for clemency for Karla Faye Tucker as Governor of Texas?

"'Please,'" Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, "'don't kill me.'"

No doubt he'll save his "compassion" for when Barry Bonds gets sent up the river.

[ Parent ]

: Yup. (none / 0) (#6)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 04:43:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Way too much time..... (none / 0) (#3)
by kdog on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 03:50:12 PM EST

for the crime.

You could torture a human being and do less time.

Sounds about right to me (none / 0) (#7)
by Tim51 on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 01:45:00 AM EST

This is pretty disgusting stuff.

It's the deliberate cruelty that bothers me. I can forgive most crimes, but not those motivated by cruelty. In my mind that is evil.

PERFECT (none / 0) (#8)
by michellem on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 11:05:29 AM EST

Too much time for torture?! No such thing.

I hope he serves his whole time & pays his whole fines with NO pardons. I also hope the NFL never lets him step foot on a field again.

the fans won't (none / 0) (#9)
by Jen M on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 03:01:14 PM EST

this won't be forgotten by dog lovers anytime soon!

[ Parent ]

: Really? (none / 0) (#10)
by squeaky on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 08:59:29 PM EST

There is too much money to be made on Vick for him to be fased out.

[ Parent ]
: And Besides (none / 0) (#11)
by squeaky on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 09:05:28 PM EST

I am a big dog lover and also believe that he is being treated unfairly.
As far as the PETA wackos go they are a minor force comparer to the sports industry which includes fans.

[ Parent ]

Merry Christmas..... (none / 0) (#12)
by kdog on Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 09:24:56 AM EST

to you too:)

Jesus would be so proud of you.

[ Parent ]

Vick (none / 0) (#13)
by MsCandiCaine on Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 02:47:04 PM EST

As owner of a pitbull myself I sure hope he serves his full time and pays his full fine. As he stated himself in the letter he wrote this crime goes unpunished quite too often and maybe he can be the example to help stop dogfighting across the US.