On July 17, 2007, Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick was indicted by the federal government in connection with a dogfighting operation that was allegedly headquartered on property he owned in Surry County, Virginia.
Along with three others, Vick was charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. If convicted on both counts, each defendant faces up to six years in prison. Vick also would be subject to a lengthy suspension by the league if he is connected in any way to the operation, even if he agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge. He could also be on the hook for as much as a $28 million rebate to his employer under the league's personal conduct policy.
Leading up to his indictment, a multitude of reports were have been issued by the press. But as we've learned from other cases, the media doesn't always have all the facts, and they don't always have their facts correct.
So on the one side you have a faction of people who are quick to convict, while on the other you have those who are holding firmly to the innocent-until-proven-guilty mantra.
And innocent until proven guilty is great for a judicial system, but the court of public opinion isn't tied to that standard. The general public can put together 2+2+2 and get six. But if your high-priced suits get just one of those 2s ruled inadmissible in court due to a technicality, chances are the jury will not see the entire equation and could render a decision that isn't factually correct.
So, regardless of the ultimate decision by the judicial system, we could be faced with a never-ending debate over this case similar to the discussions that still spring up regarding the O.J. Simpson trial more than a decade ago.
Latest Developments
-- On December 10, one chapter of Michael Vick's legal issues was closed as he was sentenced to 23 months in prison.-- Vick checks himself into jail on November 19, three weeks before his scheduled sentencing, amid speculation that he hopes his early arrival will draw some leniency from the court.
-- On August 27 Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges related to dogfighting Monday, and now faces from one to five years in prison.
-- All of Vick's co-defendants have reached plea agreements with federal prosecutors, which includes pleading guilty to all current charges. Vick's camp is currently deciding if they should follow the same course of action.
-- On July 26, the day the rest of his teammates were reporting to training camp, Vick made his first appearance in court. A trial date for November 26 was set.
-- Just days before the open of training camp, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ordered Vick to stay away from the Falcons' training facility until the league reviews the dogfighting charges against him.
In a letter to Vick, Goodell wrote, "While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy."
Background
- April 24: Michael Vick's cousin, Davon Boddie, was arrested in Hampton, Va., on drug charges, leading police to obtain a warrant to search his home (owned by Vick) for other drugs and paraphernalia.
- April 25: While serving the search warrant, police discovered evidence of an alleged dogfighting operation, including rape stands, pry bars, treadmills modified for dog training, and a blood-stained carpet. Animal-control officers also removed 66 dogs from the property, 55 of which were pit bulls.
- May 8: AirTran Airways dumps Vick as a spokesman.
- May 23: Investigators obtain another warrant in order to search the property for buried dog carcasses, but local prosecutor Gerald Poindexter refuses to execute it.
- June 4: Reports surface indicating Vick's house was burglarized in early to mid-May. Reported among the stolen were three plasma televisions (62", 42" and 32"), two floor buffers, a wet/dry vacuum, an upright washer and dryer and a leather sofa.
- June 7: Representatives of the U.S. attorney's office in Richmond, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Virginia State Police executed a sealed federal search warrant for the Surry County property.
- July 2: Court documents are filed alleging a dogfighting operation called Bad Newz Kennels had been headquartered at the Vick property for the past five years.
- July 6: Federal authorities secure another search warrant for the purpose of recovering the remains of dogs buried on the property.
- July 17: The U.S. attorney's office announces that Vick and three others have been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
- July 19: Nike announces they have decided to suspend the release of the latest Michael Vick line of shoes, the Air Zoom Vick V.
- July 23: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell orders Vick to stay away from the Falcons' training camp until the league has the opportunity to look further into the dogfighting allegations.
- July 26: During his first court appearance in connection with the dogfighting case, Vick pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
