http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=4d479853-6967-4ab8-8332-cffdb1bafebb&k=23357
Vick sentenced to 23 months in dog-fighting case
Reuters
Monday, December 10, 2007
Disgraced U.S. football star Michael Vick, who has pleaded guilty for his role in an illegal dogfighting enterprise, was sentenced Monday to 23 months in prison.
U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson handed down the sentence to Vick, 27, who voluntarily began serving his prison term three weeks ago.
Dressed in a black-and-white prison uniform, Vick stood in the courtroom and said softly: "I would like to apologize to the court, to my family, to my kids, for what i have done."
A strong-armed quarterback who was once one of the National Football League's top players, Vick pleaded guilty in August to a charge of conspiracy in connection with a dogfighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" from 2001 through April 2007.
Vick turned himself in to federal officials on Nov. 19 to begin serving his prison time ahead of schedule. It was unclear why he did so, but some legal experts said he might have been trying to show goodwill before being sentenced.
He faced a maximum sentence of five years but after reaching a plea agreement, prosecutors requested a 12- to 18-month prison term.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Vick was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft. He had signed a 10-year, $130 million contract with the Falcons.
Vick's indictment in July shocked sports fans because it was a spectacular fall from grace and because dogfighting, in which people bet on pit bulls, is widely reviled for cruelty.
Vick initially pleaded not guilty. He changed his plea after his co-defendants reached plea deals and agreed to testify against him.
Once a darling of the NFL, Vick has been suspended indefinitely without pay by the league. After pleading guilty, he specifically apologized to the NFL commissioner, the Falcons owner, his teammates and fans.
Vick, who has lost lucrative endorsement contracts with companies like Nike Inc, has been in financial trouble, according to court documents.
The Falcons and several financial institutions have launched legal proceedings against Vick in the past weeks to recover millions of dollars related to his signing bonus and various loans.
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Fri.Nov.30,2007
ATLANTA --Two of Michael Vick's co-defendants have received longer than expected sentences for their role in a dogfighting operation, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its Web site Friday.
According to the newspaper, Purnell Peace was sentenced to 18 months while Quanis Phillips was sentenced to 21 months on Friday morning in a Richmond, Va., courtroom.
Peace's sentence represents the higher end of his recommended sentence range, while Phillips is in the middle of the guideline.
The longer sentences could be an indication of what Vick will receive when he is sentenced on December 10.
In handing down the sentences, United States District Judge Henry E. Hudson told the men what happened to the dogs involved was "a tragedy," according to the Journal-Constitution.
"You may have thought this was sporting, but it was very callous and cruel," Hudson told Phillips.
Vick, who has been suspended by the Atlanta Falcons, has already reported to prison to begin serving time towards his sentence. A fourth co-defendant, Tony Taylor, is due to be sentenced on December 14.
All four men pleaded guilty in August on charges relating to the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation, based at a property belonging to Vick in Surry County, Va.
The four also face felony state dogfighting charges that carry a maximum sentence of five years.