Vick Appears in Court, Sits and Speaks but Doesn't Roll Over
Michael Vick made his first court appearance Thursday in connection with the alleged dogfighting operation being run on property he owned, and to no one's surprise he entered a plea of not guilty. Of more significance, however, is the fact that he finally made a public statement.
"Today in court I pleaded innocent to the allegations made against me. I take the charges very seriously, and I look forward to clearing my good name. I respectfully ask all of you to hold your judgment until all of the facts are shown. Above all, I'd like to say to my mom I'm sorry for what she has had to go through in this most trying of times. It has caused pain to my family and I apologize to my family. I also want to apologize to my Falcons teammates for not being with them at the beginning of spring training."
There's really nothing unexpected in Vick's statement, other than the fact that, you know, spring traing is for baseball while football has a training camp during the summer months.
But, nitpicking aside, it's good to finally see the guy come out and say something.
Anything.
By failing to proclaim his innocence (whether it's sincere or not) for so long, he's made it easy for folks to assume he's guilty. At this point, it's good to hear him say anything at all about the scandal. We're just wondering why, if he's truly innocent, he waited so many days of having his name dragged through the mud before he finally spoke up.
Photo: Jonathan Ernst / Getty Images
Comments
Proclaim innocence? You jest, correct? First he states that he had no clue what was going on in the house, but then, when indicted — had to SURRENDER HIS KENNEL LICENSE. If he had a kennel license, I think he knew there were 60+ dogs there, don’t you?
One lie says it all. It’s a fact that those who abuse animals will also abuse humans…
The question isn’t whether he knew the dogs were there. It’s whether he knew how they were being treated.
What else is he going to say…..I’m guilty, yea right. He has lots of money and will do whatever he can to get out of this. Let’s all get real people! Michael Vick’s just trying to save his name for just a little while.
He’s already lied, of course he pleading not guilty.
The Columbine kids planned a massacre in their parents house, and you’re telling me the parents had no clue? If there was shady activity at the house, Vick didn’t know! I don’t even think there was any shady activity.
No apologies today to the NFL Corporation or Falcons owner, Blank, NO ACCIDENT!
The man is innocent until proven guilty, so yall stop hating on that man. U dont know what happen, or do U were U there 2??
DOD POUNDS KILL INNOCENT PETS EVERYDAY. THIS IS BULL. JUST ANOTHER WAY TO BRING A BLACK MAN DOING HIS THING DOWM. THIS IS BULL.
Dog pounds euthanize animals in a humane way Fred. They don’t hang, electrocute, body slam, or make them fight to the death. Just a little different, don’t you think? Dogfighting is illegal for a reason… regardless of the man’s skin color.
hey fred get a life, this isnt one of those O.J simpson type of trials and i think that we are all tired of people playing race cards its sickening
It all comes down to innocent until proven guilty PERIOD! Let the man breathe and then once he’s proven guilty then you can say what you have to say!
Michael Vick will be inducted into the
NFL HALL OF SHAME
Vick is innocent until proven guilty “in a court of law”. Public opinion is totaly different. Based on the reports I’ve heard I say GUILTY! I don’t care if he knew about the dog fighting or not. Which I’d bet my little finger he knew and participated in it. He should get the max penalty! And I’m not talking about fifteen yards and a loss of down.
Let’s not mince words. “Innocent until proven guilty” applies only to the crime, it doesn’t apply to all Vick’s conduct. As owner of the property where 54 dead dogs were uncovered he is responsible for all the activity on his property. He’s not innocent of that. Every owner is obliged to know what activity is happening on his property. He’ll never play for the Falcons again. Remember OJ was not convicted of any crime, but who would want OJ as their star running back? The same with Vick. He may beat this rap, but he’s guilty of plenty and doesn’t deserve to be a star QB in the Nfl.
Yall are judging a lil early don’t u think, but i can hear tha HATE in most of your comments. Vick did or didn’t know, it’s gonn cost him money that’s about it. That man worked his whole life to get to the NFL, and now people have the nerve to say he doesn’t deserve it, be serious. U most have been 4th string QB or sumthin. HATERS
Haters? Are you playing the race card Archie? I didn’t see anything close to “hate” as you say. Don’t be so simple.
I am black and I do believe a person is innoncent until proven guilty. that means everyone, black white red yellow. Unfortunately, this isnt the case in this country. we pick and choose who we want to crucify. Several crimes have been committed by whites that were ridiculous and were able to get a fair trial. Yes killing dogs is a crazy crime and when he is tried and proven guilty he should do the time. Until then, LAY OFF!! Stop hating on him! His football skills dont have anything to do with this situation. What about men raping young women and getting off! What about the homeless people in our very on communities? What about husbands killing their kids and wives? What about these nasty porn freaks who take pics of innoncent children? WAKE UP America! Dogs are getting more attention then missing children or starving families!!! IF Michael Vick wasnt a football star he would not be getting as much attention. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!
“IF Michael Vick wasnt a football star he would not be getting as much attention.”
Exactly right, Jamie—because once you get to that level it’s not just about big money and perks and fame, it’s about privilege. He may have worked hard to get where he is—there are hundreds who work just as hard and don’t make the pick because it has to come down to just a few—but he is privileged to be where he is and with that comes a certain responsibility. Getting attention is all part of the game! Unfortunately, as a sports star, he’s got a lot of kids hanging their dreams on him and looking up to him and following his every move, clipping articles about him for their scrapbooks and hanging posters of him on their walls. That’s all part of the game, too. Big money, attention, responsibility…he worked hard, but not hard enough.
“VICK’S CRONY TO COP A PLEA.”
Barely a day after he joined three other co-defendants – including Falcons quarterback Michael Vick – in pleading not guilty to dogfighting charges in a Richmond, Va. federal courthouse, Tony Taylor was the first to accept a plea bargain.
The 34-year-old Taylor, who is from Hampton, Va., will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson at 9 a.m. Monday, according to The Associated Press. Taylor was the alleged ringleader, according to the 18-page indictment handed down July 17, responsible for identifying Vick’s property in rural Smithfield, Va., as the location where “Bad Newz Kennels” would house and train pit bulls and stage fights.
NY DAILY NEWS
I don’t see how it would have made a difference if he had come right out and openly said “I am completely innocent of all charges” right from the start. Can you honestly say that would have changed your opinion of him? For me, I cannot say that I would feel any different about him than I do now. Most people had already formed a very negative public opinion about him prior to this indictment. According to what I read, the fact that he has been linked to a few other very negative incidents doesn’t help his case either.
HES GUILTY! HOW DOES ANYONE NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY GOING ON..ON THERE PROPERTY? ALL HES GOING TO DO IS FIGHT THIS WITH HIS DIRTY MONEY AND HIRE THE BEST ATTORNYS,HE NEEDS TO FACE THE MUSIC AND STAND UP LIKE A MAN AND TAKE WHAT HES GOT COMING.AND PEOPLE WHO SAY ITS CUZ HES BLACK,THATS A BUNCH OF CRAP,EVERYTIME A BLACK MAN GETS IN TROUBLE THEY PULL THAT RACE CARD…COME ON NOW!HES WRONG..AND WE ALL KNOW IT.IT IS A LOVE FOR GODS CREATION,ANIMALS,PEOPLE.HE HAS NO MORALS AND HE SHOULD BE FIRED FROM THE NFL.IF THE NFL DOES NOT FIRE HIM THEY ARE JUST AS STUPID AS HE IS.
hes a looser….im a animal lover,i wish i could put him in a small wood box like he did to those dogs, and pour acid slowly on him to let him exsperiance some real pain.
Are you seriously going to lie about your innocence? And yes your poor mother, leave her out of this. If you were my child I would disown you. It is shameful to take advantage of a dog’s loyalty and good nature. They fight until the death for “their” owners. God willing you will come back to this earth for many lives as a dog and your owners will fight you, rape you and leave you for dead. You reap what you sow.
The man is guilty folks!!!!!! Use your head.. Use your common sense…. If he had a house for 5 years and had over 50 dead dogs there and never knew about it then what an idiot he must have been. But he is not an idiot!!!! He knew… He knew…. he knew……HE PARTICIPATED!!!!!! hIS FRIENDS ARE COVERING…..some of your comments I have read stating “innocent until proven guilty” you guys should know by now that it doesn’t work like that…I am positive there are many with wrong convictions… I just feel bad for his family.. but he will probably buy his way out of most of his punishment… sad
I think it would be one thing if there were various types of dogs at the location. More like a kennel. But come on. Almost all (if not all) were pit bull and other “fighting dog” types. I agree, 5 years of ownership on the house. He knew.
I think pit bulls already have bad reputations, we sure dont need a man that young people are supposed to look up to supporting the fight. Everytime I hear his name it makes me sick. These dogs love their owners so much they fight until their death, would Michael Vick do that for his dog?
vicks is a nogood low life anyone that harms a animal is rotten i wouldnt ta ke my kids to any of the falcons games HE IS SADIST THEY TAKE OUT THEIR ANGER ON ANIMALS
Nobody is blaming this on the fact that he is a Black Man. He knew what he was doing, let alone that is was going on on his property. So no, it’s not “Bull.” He is worthless. And deserves to be electricuted, burned, and drowned… Among other things. He is worthless.
Michael Vick is innocent. If a white person fights dogs, its funny. But if a black person fights dogs, the world is going to end.