Vick to Avoid Charges... For Now
"The authorities have told the Falcons and league that there has not been any evidence that can be tied to Vick with the alleged dogfighting ring", the sources told ESPN. "The law enforcement authorities have privately told league and team officials that at least three people are expected to be indicted but the identities of those individuals were unknown."
So Vick isn't being indicted this time around.
So what?
Just because he supposedly has not been connected with the operation at this time in a way that will hold up in court doesn't mean he won't eventually face charges. Who's to say the round of indictments believed to be coming aren't just the beginning, or that any charges handed down now or in the near future might theoretically be used to motivate someone into implicating Vick at some point down the road.
And even if Vick is never charged, irreparable damage to his reputation and marketability may have already been done. The court of public opinion isn't held to the same standard as a court of law, and it's tough to ignore the mounting evidence.
And more evidence was apparently nabbed Friday as Federal authorities investigating the property conducted a second search. According to the Virginian-Pilot, the team of investigators came away with what they were looking for. Reports indicate at least 17 dogs have been found in shallow graves during searches of the property; seven the first time around, on June 7, and "more than 10" during the latest search. But apparently. authorities have found no concrete evidence or "smoking gun" that can be tied to Vick.
The feds also filed court documents Friday outlining the alleged operation called “Bad Newz Kennels”. (Coincidently, Vick's official web site lists his place of birth as "Newport News, VA a.k.a. BadNews.") According to the report, dog fights often involved bets in the thousands of dollars. Dogs were also reportedly flown in from out of state. The alleged fights on the property were generally late-late-night events that often ended in the death of at least one of the animals. And sometimes, (just for giggles, I guess), the losing dog was "drowned, strangled, hanged, shot or electrocuted."
Makes me wonder who the real animals are here, you know?
Photo: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images
Comments
Blaa, blaa, blaa. Way to exploit the name of an innocent man to log more clicks from Google… and sell advertising. Its the media that has done irreparable damage to their reputation and long before this trash hit the Internet. That’s just my ‘public’ opinion.
David… With all due respect, I’m not sure how someone can look at the mountain of evidence, and proclaim that an innocent man is being exploited by the media. Michael Vick is either guilty or extremely negligent in my opinion.
“DITTO” to football’s remarks. My feelings exactly
football/linda.. I can’t speak to the legal rights in your country, but fortunately.., I live in the USA, where like most non-authoritarian societies there exists a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. This right is widely held to follow the 5th, 6th and 14th amendments of our constitution.
It thusly is stated as a fact that Michael Vick is innocent. This could theoretically change, but it is interesting that the “mountain” of evidence described above doesn’t seem to be significant in eyes of the legal authorities – at least in implicating Vick for any wrong doing.
It is also a fact that the media’s interest in this case is solely due to the celebrity of a very rich and successful professional athlete. That’s what sells, and the 1st amendment gives ‘them’ that right.
My initial comment was simply an expression of distaste for the media’s self-serving approach to reporting. Unfortunately, the drive for mouse clicks has eliminated the ethics and credibility that once held journalists to such a high level of esteem.
good post david. you are dead on.
and could ya’ll Please put a picture of this dude smiling up… and not one that looks like this?
You cnn’t call someone innocent(in the legal sense of the word) until there has been an ajudication of innocence. Otherwise you might as well point out someone at random on the street and declare them “innocent”, when in fact he could be a serial killer.
The authorities repeatedly have emphasized that this is an ONGOING INVESTIGATION. We don’t even know at this point who is being indicted and what possible sentences they might face. Guys looking at long prison terms have a strong incentive to flip. And recall that it can be hard to convict celebrities: witness those two innocent lambs OJ and Robert Blake.
Keep in mind that the Laws are designed not so much to protect the rights of the innocent, but to make sure that everyone gets a fair shake. Now just because he has not been charged doesn’t mean he is completely innocent and without fault. It just means that because there is no direct evidence linking him to these crimes, from a legal standpoint he cannot be charged with anything.
It seems to me that if someone is famous or rich enough, they are either proclaimed innocent because of it or buy their way out with it.
I’m not saying that I think Vick is guilty by that, just that a lot of people have based their opinions on the fact that he has a little fame. “Celebs” it seems, to me, are put up on pedestals and thereby deemed above the law by some.
The investigation IS on going, and I’m sure that any connections, if any, between Vick and the dog fights will be found and a fair and reasonable trial would then follow.
Until then….
I am not saying he is innocent or he is guilty. But if he is innocent why is he not coming for with all kinds of public statements. At this point I have not heard one word from his camp. Other than him to say I didn’t know it was going on. Well from my point of view ignorance is not an excuse. As such all of us should know what is occuring on our property. If I had someone in my car who happened to bring drugs in it (even if I didn’t know about it) I could be charged. This is the same thing.
Guilty or innocent is not the point. Why are we disappointed? Michael Vick is human like any other person. If God made man and we cannot disappoint him because of expectation. Then why are we already passing judgement on Michael because he is a celebrity with money. Had it been a regular citizen without celebrity status, would it matter? Let’s get real Michael is human like any body else. Who are we to judge and blemish the mans’ name like this. Ye without faukts cast the first stone. I am not promoting dog fighting or anything unlawful but we have to many real issues to deal with that needs more attention such as child molesters. Regarless, of the out come, I hope Vick will learn from all rhis and move on. When you sre a great quaterback with money, everyone wants a piece of you. Admire the sport and give the man credit where it’s due but I don’t think Vick ever ask to be anybody’s God. People get a life and stop looking up to men look up to GOD. All the BEST Vick.
I cannot believe people think it is ok for ick to still be playing! Good player or not, what he was done is NOT tolerable and in many eyes, if your capable of hurting that many animals you are probably capable of delibarately hurting people also. He should be thrown in jail for the crimes he has committed and be treated the same as any American would be under the court of law. Just because he is a good athlete does not mean he deserves to be on the feild. The NFL should be led by rolemodels and hard workers. Not animal abusers who belong in prison!
when did anyone say anything bout good playa, the guy made 1 probowl, which is less than i made, and runs more than he throws, and when he does throw, it get picked off 4 out of 10 times, and his rating is in the 70’s and comp percentage in the low 50’s, he doesnt suck but hes not as nice as me
I sure hope he likes stripes
.
I think, if these charges prove to be true, they should put him in a big cage and bring in all the dogs that he has tortured and let them go to town on him. The only way to make these jerks realize what a horrible thing dog fighting is, would be to put them in the middle of it. Chew on that.
what do you say now that Mr. Vick has been indicted, David?
In the eyes of the law this is not even a moral issue. This is about the Laws being broken and that is the main reason why they are going after him. For the record, they have a right and obligation to pursue anyone who may be suspected of being involved in crime or wrongdoing even if that man is the President of the United States.
If he is trully innocent, then he has nothing to worry about. Keep in mind that if not for the testimony of the witnesses involved, none of us would even be here posting about this. I hope for his sake and his family and childrens sake that he is innocent.
I am not trying to judge him thats what the laws of this land was put in place for. My moral opinion on this is that, I think its very unfortunate that this whole thing happened in the first place, not because Vick is rich, or an athlete or black but in looking at the bigger picture. You have to wonder where Humanity is headed whenever the violence that permeates our society is tolerated on any level.
Pacman is out-no convictions. The same should apply to Vick. The reason he’s not?? More star status and a bigger payroll/salary slice.
If he can’t keep tabs on his investments that are conducting illegal activities – tough! Never mind the innocent till proven guilty mamby-pamby.
He’s part of the public domain and this media attention is derived from his status-Good or Bad.
Can you say dumb black man and they said Marcus was the bad dumb vick
Michael Vick is a coward. What’s next? Beating up old ladies? Hurting children? He wants to act tough? He should take his frustrations out on a man. He should be put in the ring with Mike Tyson. If he loses, he should be either drowned, strangled, hung, shot, or electrocuted. Then bury his bones in the backyard.
Attention Michael Vick: I hope you don’t have children. You would make a terrible father. May GOD have mercy on your soul.
HES A HEARTLESS FOOL THAT DESERVES NOTHING MORE THAN TO LOOSE HIS JOB PLAYING BALL!