Bad Newz For Michael Vick
Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons had a rather interesting hobby: blood sports. That is, until the 28-year old NFL star's gruesome "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation was uncovered by local and federal investigators at a large property owned by Vick in rural Virginia, in April of last year. The search revealed seventy dogs (most Pitbull terriers) on the property, many with injuries. Investigators also discovered equipment typically used by dogfighting rings. "He did more than fund it," said US District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson, who also stated that he is unconvinced that Vick, charged with violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, has accepted full responsibility.Judge Hudson's skepticism is understandable. Vick first denied that he knew about the dogfights and the betting on his property, claiming that he rarely used that property, and implying that his cousin, who did use the property, would know something. A drug investigation of Vick's cousin (and co-defendant) was the reason for the local investigation of the property in the first place. After Vick's three co-defendants pleaded guilty and cooperated with the authorities, Vick was cornered, and changed his story. By August 20th, 2007, Vick and the other defendants agreed to plead guilty under plea bargain conditions. Vick admitted to funding, promoting and facilitating the illegal dogfighting activities on the 15-acre property. He killed underperforming Pitbulls and bankrolled money for gambling purposes and to fund the operation. Under the plea bargain, Vick will face no further federal charges, but after his prison term he may be facing local charges. Vick's crime, under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, carries a maximum of five years in prison.
The cruel means in which Vick and the others killed underperforming dogs- including electrocution, drowning, and hanging- sparked public backlash against animal abuse, and Judge Hudson was especially harsh and condemning with Vick in the courtroom, even after Vick stated that he accepted full responsibility, Judge Hudson was clear that he did not believe the NFL star was all sincere. After the defendant apologized to the court and to his family, the Judge admonished Vick, saying: "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."
Michael Vick is currently being held in a minimum security, satellite prison camp of Leavenworth in Kansas, washing pots and pans for meager wages, and playing prison football. In December, he was sentenced to 23 months after a drug test in September revealed marijuana use, a violation of the conditions of his release while he awaited sentencing.
No matter where you might stand on PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and other animal-rights groups, take note that these groups successfully used the case to draw attention to the issue of animal abuse. Vick's courtroom behavior was questionable too: he was the last hold-out after his three co-defendants had all pled guilty and agreed to testify against him. Judge Hudson and others have repeatedly described Vick's crimes as inhumane. The NFL reacted by suspending him indefinitely, and he's already lost many of his most profitable contracts.
Vick was not born a millionaire. He lived on some mean streets, and, as his co-defendants and other associates have described, underground dogfights were a familiar part of their youth. They considered it part of where they came from. Is that an excuse? The court certainly didn't think so.
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