Mike Vick has sure found himself in the dog house. It’s just so happens that the doghouse comes in the form of a prison. On Nov. 19, 2007 Michael Vick surrendered to U.S. marshals three weeks before he is to be sentenced for a federal dogfighting charge on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. According to a court document, Vick worked out a deal to voluntarily enter custody prior to sentencing. This action caused Vick to miss Thanksgiving with close family and friends during this troubling period for him. Vick wants to get an early start on the prison sentence he may have to serve and display an act of repentance for his crimes. According to the Associated Press, the gruesome details outlined in the federal indictment _ dogs were hanged, drowned and electrocuted _ fueled a public backlash against the Falcons' star player and cost him several lucrative endorsement deals. AP states Vick is being sued for more than $4 million by banks claiming he defaulted on loans and might have to repay nearly $20 million in NFL signing bonus money. Not to mention he is banned indefinitely from the NFL. According to CNN, Vick has to pay nearly $1 million dollars for the care of about 54 pit bulls. These costs will cover the long-term care and/or the euthanasia of the dogs found on his property during a dogfighting raid. If that’s not enough, Virginia has decided to bring state charges against the fallen star. Vick will go to trial on state dogfighting charges in Surry County, Va., on April 2. According to AP, he has been charged with two state felonies _ beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison. Vick seems to be getting hit with consecutive blows, but the attacker is savoring the knock out. A player who once was sitting in a locker room mentally preparing a football game is now sitting in a jail cell awaiting his trial date. It is hard to fathom the rise and fall of this star player. A player who was once hailed by the public is now public enemy number 1. Many fans of Vick hope the judge does not impose the maximum length of five years. Daily News stated on Friday November 30, 2007, two of Vick’s partners in dog fighting operation were sentenced to 18 and 21 months, respectively, which may be an indication that Mike Vick will stay in jail longer than expected. According to Daily News, William Frick, the former prosecutor for the South Carolina Attorney General’s office who in 2004 got a 40-year sentence for notorious dogfighter David Ray Tant said, “I don’t think it looks good for Michael Vick. If those two guys who cooperated early are getting that much time, Vick is going to be at least looking at 24 months. I personally thought he would be looking at 18 to 24 months. But if those guys are getting 18 and 21 months, Vick is going to do more time. And they don't have the additional stuff of being the ringleader, which Vick is.” Many fans wonder if Vick will ever be allowed to return to football after these charges? It really is a difficult question to answer, but let’s just hope that Vick pays his debt to society and quickly gets back to what his fans remember him as. Not as a cruel dog fighting ring leader, but as a prolific football player.
No comments:
Post a Comment