Vick gets 23 months in jail

[virgo]

Vick sentenced to 23 months in jail (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071210/NEWS01/71210014)




RICHMOND, Va. – Saying Michael Vick had not fully accepted responsibility for his role in a dogfighting ring, specifically regarding the killing of dogs that did not perform well, a federal judge today sentenced the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback to 23 months in prison.
When Vick entered a guilty plea in August, his agreement with prosecutors called for a recommended sentencing guideline of 12-18 months in prison.


What do you think? Do you think he deserves all 23 months? Personally, I was hoping for longer time.

[fuzzis]

I think 23 months is probably good. Maybe even a little long.

[virgo]

Of course, he'll be in the federal pen. Much nicer than a state prison. I bet he'll write a book while there.

[58ford]

I think 23 months is probably good. Maybe even a little long.
I agree it sounds a little long, but then I think about my dog, and it doesn't seem long enough...........and I wanna kick his ass.

[dream member]

23 months? Hang the b*tch! We can put him in the ring with a bunch of big guys and let him get his sorry a$$ beat to DEATH!

[fuzzis]

I agree it sounds a little long, but then I think about my dog, and it doesn't seem long enough...........and I wanna kick his ass.

I know. But when I think about other awful things that happen every day that only get slaps on the wrist...and particularly considering all that Vick is losing...I'd say it's probably enough. :smt102

[58ford]

I just hope he gets a cell mate that's a dog lover.

[big john]

I still think people like this should get no jail time,I think they need to clean animal crap about 15-20 hours a week for 5 years at their local pet shelter.

[Baloo]

I agree Big John!

There is so much animal abuse that goes on in this world. It is truly sad. I hope that they convict the others who were involved with the dog fighting as well and that they start catching some of the people who fight dogs right here in south Mississippi! It is just heartbreaking to think how cruel some people are to innocent, helpless animals...

[CircusRide]

Free Ron Mexico!!!!

[Kitty]

This sentence puts Vick's NFL career in jeopardy (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3148767), provided the league allows him to return.

[dollfus46]

Vick sentenced to 23 months in jail (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071210/NEWS01/71210014)




What do you think? Do you think he deserves all 23 months? Personally, I was hoping for longer time.
From what I can ascertain, the federal guidelines suggest 18-24 months though he could get 5 years. The judge gave him 23 months. Now, must serve 85% of that or 19 months. The State of WV hasn't had it's turn yet. They can go heavier on him. So he could be out of football a long time. That from the Glenn Beck show, per a sports columist and a federal defense lawyer. I figured someone would ask.

[EricStratton]

Free Ron Mexico!!!!

"Everybody know how I roll." Ron Mexico, responding to rumors that he is gay....

[dollfus46]

This sentence puts Vick's NFL career in jeopardy (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3148767), provided the league allows him to return.

The league will turn it's head as they always do. Interesting observation though. This sport writer says he will be back but not as a QB. Probably a running back or a wide receiver. He never got around to saying why.

[Kitty]

The league will turn it's head as they always do. Interesting observation though. This sport writer says he will be back but not as a QB. Probably a running back or a wide receiver. He never got around to saying why.

I understood the writer to say that the NFL is shifting more toward a passing game, so by the time Vick is out of prison a running QB might not be an attractive option for NFL teams to consider.

Also, Vick cannot play football in prison, but according to this article he is playing basketball and working out daily (reportedly at his playing weight).

Because he is an "athlete," some teams might be willing to take a chance on him at another position.

Not Atlanta, though. Vick is finished there.

He is likely finished at QB.

It remains to be seen if he is finished in the NFL.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

I was personally hoping for a longer sentence... As we all know as a professional athlete he will make more in one year with the NFL than most of us will make in 20. So this means he was just doing this for the fun of it... Nothing more... Seeing dogs ight each other to the death most times and killing those that "Displease" them...
I feel his sentence was too lenient...
He could have been used as an example to others that it could happen to them and should... Two years for a hardened individual is a walk in the park and would not deter the jerks doing this on a full time basis...

[Conveyor Belt]

I bet he makes a rap album.

[firefly]

I think that he should have goten at least five years! 23 months is a slap on the wrist! He is a cruel, vicious person to do what he did to those poor helpless dogs!:smt086

[mac]

Considering that he wasn't even living there and MAY have been there just a few times, I think 2 years in prison is a bit much. Don't get me wrong. I think dog fighting (and everything that comes with it) is disgusting. It's cruel, and I can't imagine how a person could do that to an animal. But they ARE dogs, and considering the way murderers (people who kill HUMANS) can plead down and end up with light sentences, I think Vick should have received a huge fine and, oh, I don't know...six months of prison and six months of working in an animal shelter or something.

There are too many child molesters, murderers, or people defrauding the government (http://www.ncpa.org/~ncpa/health/pdh5.html) who I think could make better use of his prison cell.

[fuzzis]

I think that if you consider that his athletic career is all but over (yes he could make a come-back, but....it's not likely, particularly considering the fact that Virginia is still working at putting together a case against him) and that he probably didn't do a lot of financial planning, he's screwed six ways from Sunday...23 months is enough.

[Butterball]

Well, he may not serve the entire time and he has certainly tried to say all the right things to pave the way to play ball again on the professional level with somebody... anybody. It was reported that Atlanta was still trying to get their $20 mil in signing bonuses back (rots o ruck :smt118)... it went for dog food!!

[fuzzis]

Well, he may not serve the entire time and he has certainly tried to say all the right things to pave the way to play ball again on the professional level with somebody... anybody. It was reported that Atlanta was still trying to get their $20 mil in signing bonuses back (rots o ruck :smt118)... it went for dog food!!

Per federal sentencing guidelines, he has to serve at least 85%. The soonest he'll be out is May 2009.

[Kitty]

. . . It was reported that Atlanta was still trying to get their $20 mil in signing bonuses back. . .

That is the reason Vick has not been cut from the Atlanta roster. The team owner likely will leave him on the roster until sometime in 2009.

[TDaleBeavers]

My gut feeling is even if Vick is released in May of 2009, Commissioner Goodell will suspend him for all or part of the 2009 season. Although he's playing basketball in prison, he's certainly not getting the same physical training/conditioning that he's been getting out of prison. Often times players who return from long suspensions are quickly on injured reserve after their return.

On top of the 23 month sentence, Vick has lost millions of dollars in salary even if he returns Additionally, after NFL retirement, I somehow doubt we'll see Michael Vick coaching anywhere or in the "NFL Today" booth.

[amanda]

Of course, he'll be in the federal pen. Much nicer than a state prison. I bet he'll write a book while there.

He better be hoping that the state goes easy or the Fed pen is just step one.

I know. But when I think about other awful things that happen every day that only get slaps on the wrist...and particularly considering all that Vick is losing...I'd say it's probably enough. :smt102

I agree that 23 months is enough - but he hasn't lost as much as he should.

What gets me the most about this situation is that the man was making tons of money - so why the dogfighting? If he exercised some common sense he would still be playing football bringing in millions. I don't feel sorry for him at all.

[Kitty]

He better be hoping that the state goes easy or the Fed pen is just step one.

Maybe a dog pen should be step two. :smt105

[wilebill]

Vick sentenced to 23 months in jail (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071210/NEWS01/71210014)

What do you think? Do you think he deserves all 23 months? Personally, I was hoping for longer time.That's only a little over 3 months in dog years.

(Okay, that was originally in Marshall Ramsey's editorial cartoon in the C-L today)