LAWFUEL – Legal Newswire – Embattled Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is expected to enter a formal plea of guilty tomorrow in his federal dogfighting case.
By pleading guilty, the flashy football star who was suspended indefinitely by the NFL will almost certainly trigger a prison sentence, fines and possibly the end of his career. He will also take a step toward becoming a convicted felon and forfeiting his right to vote, serve on a jury, hold an elected office and possess a handgun.
The ex Virginia-Tech standout is due in US District Court Richmond at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Henry E. Hudson, just hours before the Falcons take the field Monday night in their home exhibition opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hudson is the same no-nonsense judge to whom Vick and his three codefendants pleaded not guilty last month.
Hudson, a former federal prosecutor who already has accepted guilty pleas from Vick’s three codefendants, is expected to set a sentencing date for the quarterback before the end of this year.
“He did something wrong and he is ready to face the music and make whatever amends he has to,” said Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick’s attorneys.
Last week, Vick signed a statement of facts with prosecutors, admitting to bankrolling a business — called Bad Newz Kennels — to raise and train pit bulls for dogfights in Virginia and several other states. In the plea agreement, Vick admitted the operation involved “the victimization and killing of pit bull dogs.”
