DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Falcons' Vick indicted by grand jury in dogfighting probe

Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the dogfighting probe of his house in Virginia.

The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in animal fighting venture in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Va. Three others -- Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor -- also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2940065

The plot thickens...

Wow!!!

Sad day to be a Falcons fan. Though Vick will probably see little more than a fine, I still think Goodell may suspend him for several games.

It's about damn time.

True,...and I wouldn't wish this on anybody (well, there's one or two,...) but, you know, you reap what you sow. While entertaining to some, this venue is a rude and malicious devaluation of respect for life. That's why there are laws against it.

I drink, I speed, I spend, and I don't call my Mom enough. There are lines you don't cross.

Goodbye Mr. Vick.

Well, at least they have a good backup QB that can fill in for Vick. Oh wait, they traded him to move up 2 spots in the draft. Good move!

That fat contract is gonna get spent very quickly on defense.. Another case of too much money, not enough brians... What a fool!

Suddenly Charlie Frye's trade value is pretty good...

Pull the trigger Phil.

Ok, it's time to start taking bets... he's going to get suspended for this, the question is how long? If he does time it won't matter. If he's "only" (And I use that term loosely) fined, he'll get suspended. It would be at least 8 games but I'm thinking something more along the lines of 1 year because it's a federal indictement.

That's why Vick will have an army of lawyers to put out that fire.

Heard on the news that one of the defendants told authorities that Vick ordered him to execute dogs that were "not performing well" by ..... electrocuting them.

I hope they throw the book at this POS.

He should get nothing less then an 8 game suspension. If he does not get suspended, then I have no faith in the new commisioners suspension program. QBs already are protected by countless rules, lets hope not getting suspended because you are a starting QB is not another rule for protecting QBs.

Remember, you dont have to be found guilty to be suspended. After the airport incident and no this, he deserves at least 8 games.

I hope he rots...seriously.

Throw him in jail and kick him out of the league.

I agree... Goodell needs to make an example of a 'primetime' player that screwed up. If he suspended Pacman for a year while Pacman was never charged, Vick has gotta go. This is a make or break decision for Goodell in my opinion.

As for Vick and all parties involve, this is a time when I hope there's a hell and they have a one way ticket to it. I just can't fathom how a human being could participate in this.

Thats a good point.

Im gonna reserve judgment...mostly because I dont care (not that i condone any actions, i just dont care if hes guilty or not), BUT, I think that if Pacman wasnt charged in any of his arrests, and Vick has now been indicted, I think he has to be suspended.

also...Welcome to ATL Daunte Culpepper

I just hope that this is based on evidence and not on the fact that it's a very public incident and very public person. You hate to see an innocent person be punished just because they're in the spotlight.

That being said, I haven't kept up on this a lot, but there sure as heck seems to be a ton of evidence against Vick, even if it's circumstantial. If he's involved in something like this, even peripherally, I hope he's gone out of the league and gets a really severe punishment.

The Atlanta Falcons issued the following statement regarding the U.S. District Court indictment of Falcons QB Michael Vick Tuesday evening:

"This situation has been troubling to many people, including our fans, during the last few months. With today’s news, our club and team will continue to be tested as Michael works through the legal process toward a conclusion.

We are disappointed that one of our players – and therefore the Falcons – is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that.

Obviously, we are disturbed by today’s news from Virginia. However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches."

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/News/Artic...indictment.aspx

Thus far Goodell seems very protective of the NFL's image. I'm sure he's not happy that Vick is associated with the NFL.. Mom and Pop America love their dogs. IMO, the only question is.. how pissed is Goodell?

Quote:

---

'We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him,'' NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. ''The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal.

''Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts.''

---

That's a snippet of a story that's everywhere on the 'net, hope I don't need a link.
The NFL has acted on others before letting the legal process play out to the max, so they have to do it with Vick. A lot of people have wondered for awhile what would happen when/if an NFL superstar screwed up, and how would it be handled with the league's new "get tough" policy.
We're about to find out.

Maybe I was wrong with this comment...

Quote:

---

Just for the record it's not hard to get an indictment. Proving it is much harder but this shows there is at least smoke and possibly a huge fire.

---

Quote:

---

There are about 148,000 federal indictments annually. The United States Attorney's Office has a 97%+ conviction rate. More and more people are affected by these statistics each year. You are not alone

---

http://www.federalprisonexchange.com/

Appearently the Feds do it differently.

Goodell may end up being in the spotlight as much as Vick on this one.

I hope the NFL and more importantly, the courts, throw the book at Vick, What a piece of human garbage.

I've been reading the Atlanta boards tonight. At 10:30 there was about 500 users online. Most seem to think he is a goner, with a large amount thinking he is guilty. When your own fans think you're guilty I would take as a bad sign.

Yep, thats not good either.

It would be nice if he comes thru this clean but too much dirt is accumulating around him. If they provide the evidence of dead dogs thru fighting,training,baiting or elimination due to weakness this man is toast.
Most people can put up with many injustices but when innocent, domesticated animals are butchered the "long knives" will come out.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-vick071707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Will Vick's legal troubles lead to a suspension?

By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
July 17, 2007




Quarterback Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons took a huge hit a week before the start of training camp.

Vick is expected to be suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after news broke Tuesday evening that Vick was indicted by federal authorities in connection with dog fighting in Virginia. The indictment followed a three-month investigation.

While Goodell was not reached for comment, two sources said the commissioner has been monitoring the Vick case since April, when investigators initially found evidence of dog fighting at a home Vick owned in Smithfield.

"Where (Vick) is in the most trouble is that he lied to the commissioner," a league source said. "He told (Goodell) in April that he didn't know anything about this. The commissioner gave (Vick) every chance to come clean, be straight about what was going on. Instead, he just kept denying it."

The NFL released a statement that both cautioned in not prejudging the case and said Vick would be evaluated under the league's personal conduct policy.

ADVERTISEMENT


"We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," the NFL statement read. "We will continue to closely monitor developments in this case, and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities. The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts. The matter will be reviewed under the League's Personal Conduct Policy."

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, urged the league to take "appropriate" action.

"Dog fighting is a serious federal and state crime, and enforcement authorities have treated this investigation with the seriousness it deserves," Pacelle said. "We will continue to work with law enforcement with the intention of bringing to justice any individual who contributed to this cruel and violent treatment of animals.

"Now that Michael Vick has been indicted, the NFL should not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary action under its internal guidelines."

The indictment is a long way from proof of guilt. In 1999, former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tony Martin faced money laundering charges in federal court and was found not guilty.

Vick and three other men – Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor – were indicted on a pair of conspiracy charges that carry a total maximum of six years in prison if convicted.

"That indictment is brutal," said John Goodwin, the lead investigator from the Humane Society. "The details in there are amazing. That's much stronger than most of the cases I've seen."

The league was made aware by federal authorities of the indictment Tuesday afternoon about an hour before the news was released to the general public.

Until then, federal authorities had been tight-lipped with the NFL, not revealing any details of an investigation they commandeered from local authorities in May. The NFL had been in constant contact with local police in Surry County until that point and believed that Vick was going to be indicted, sensing the local authorities had enough to build a case against him, according to one of the sources.

"Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news from Virginia," the Falcons said through a statement issued Tuesday evening. "However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches."

Now, the question is how fast will Goodell react and how long will he suspend Vick? Vick has yet to be convicted of a crime or even be arrested during his six-year career, but Goodell has made player conduct his most significant issue through his first year in office.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones has been suspended for one year although he has yet to be convicted; Jones has been arrested or called into questioning by police at least 10 times since entering the league and faces charges over a shooting in Las Vegas in February.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has been suspended for eight games for multiple transgressions and former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson is also facing an eight-game suspension whenever he is signed by another team. The Bears cut Johnson in June after he was pulled over in Arizona for impaired driving.

Other NFL teams are eager to see how Goodell will react to the news on Vick. A Titans source said in May that Tennessee management was watchful of how Vick might be treated in relation to how Jones was punished.

"There's a lot riding on this one," a league source said. "Perception is really important right now for the entire league and (Goodell) has set the bar pretty high. I think the one thing going for (Goodell) if he's going to suspend Vick is that he gave Vick a chance to tell the truth."

Vick met with Goodell in New York, shortly after the raid on Vick's property, before the NFL draft in April. Vick told Goodell and said publicly that he never went to the house and that he was unaware of what his family and friends were doing there.

Reports by media outlets in Virginia disputed Vick's story. Witnesses said that Vick had been seen there many times. The federal indictment also lays out a much different story, saying that Vick participated in the commerce of dog fighting. The indictment said that dogs and participants were brought in from as far away as New York and Texas for fights.

The indictment also specifies that the raising and training of dogs were conducted at the home. The home features a series of kennels and a small building in the back where fights were supposed to have taken place.

The indictment also lays out a detailed and ugly description of how the fights were run, including how dogs that lost fights were killed afterward, if necessary. Dogs were often shot, drowned, electrocuted or strangled if they could not otherwise be saved.

"We're talking about activity that went on for years," Pacelle said. "Yes, these are accusations. But for him to have claimed that he knew nothing about the activities there is unbelievable … that's why we think the league should suspend him under its conduct policy.

"If you're just going to wait for the judicial process, why even have a conduct policy?"

If Vick is suspended for any length of time, the Falcons are likely to turn to backup quarterback Joey Harrington as the starter. Regardless, Vick's progress under new coach Bobby Petrino is expected to be thwarted as he deals with all the legal issues associated with the indictment.


Jason Cole is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports. Send Jason a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Updated on Tuesday, Jul 17, 2007 9:35 pm EDT





maybe he WILL in fact be suspended

Quote:

---

We're talking about activity that went on for years," Pacelle said. "Yes, these are accusations. But for him to have claimed that he knew nothing about the activities there is unbelievable … that's why we think the league should suspend him under its conduct policy.
"If you're just going to wait for the judicial process, why even have a conduct policy?"

---

I wonder if the glove fits? Does Vick drive a Bronco?

Maybe we can trade Quinn for all of Atlanta's first day picks next year.

theyd be stupid not to sign culpepper

They may HAVE to sign Culpepper.

And they just traded Matt Shaub in the offseason. I thought that was a dumb move at the time because Vick was one more iffy season, on or off the field, away from the bench/suspension list.

Atlanta is in a bad, bad spot right now. The Commish has to suspend Vick for sure!

Why is it always dog fighting Why don't we ever hear about cat fighting


If Vicks guilty lock him up and throw his arse out of the league. Anybody who can do that to a dog, has to have other mental problems as well.

I thought Goodell's policy dealt more with second time offenders, and that was how Pacman got suspended before anything officially came through the system. If I am remembering correctly, I don't recall a previous offense for Vick (since he wasn't charged in the whole water bottle issue).

Call renewed for dropping Vick endorsment deals
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
July 17, 2007

The Humane Society of the United States will renew its call for companies using Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick as a spokesman to cut ties with him after a federal indictment for dog fighting was issued Tuesday.

"We're planning to make those calls first thing Wednesday," said Wayne

Pacelle, the president of the Humane Society. The organization asked Nike in June to drop Vick, but the company declined.

Now, the organization plans to extend the call to companies such as Rawlings, Powerade and Kraft. AirTran has already dropped Vick and Pacelle said that the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has recently done the same.

"We don't have all the contracts or know what they're all worth," Parcelle said, "but we know that they have language in those contracts that allows companies to sever ties with an athlete after something like this happens."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-vickendorsements071707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

your absolutely right .. PacMan/Henry and Tank were all REPEAT OFFENDERS ..... seems with goodell its 2 STRIKES AND YOUR OUT ... not one ..

i HIGHLY DOUBT the POS Vick gets suspended for this before it goes through the system or he pleas .... and Goodell would be WRONG to suspend him before then ... hes set a precedent .. and the precedent is U get 1 free pass ....

i've said all along Vicks guilty as hell .. and he's a POS but he should'nt be suspended for this one just quite yet ....