Michael Vick's Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty in Dogfighting Case

[rado]

:bravonew: :bravonew:

One POS down and a few to go!


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291389,00.html

RICHMOND, Va. — One of Michael Vick's co-defendants pleaded guilty to dogfighting charges Monday in Richmond federal court, in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton, Va., entered his plea in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

Taylor also agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. Taylor said he was not promised any specific sentence in return for his cooperation with the government.

U.S District Judge Henry Hudson asked Taylor, "You're pleading guilty and taking your chances, right?"

Taylor responded, "Yes."

Taylor will be sentenced Dec. 14. He faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Taylor and his attorney, Stephen Hudgins of Newport News, refused to answer reporters' questions as they left the federal courthouse after the 15-minute hearing.

Vick, the star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and two other co-defendants pleaded not guilty last week to similar charges.

[grnmchn]

It's 50/50 whether that decision will pay off. My thinking, at this stage of it, is that it's a good move. Based on some of the other articles, the feds left the door open to throw more charges on Vick and the others. By pleading guilty to only conspiracy he will have a drastically reduced sentence than the others. If......they are convicted. If they are found innocent, than obviously this dude mad a bad play!

[rado]

Originally Posted by grnmchn

It's 50/50 whether that decision will pay off. My thinking, at this stage of it, is that it's a good move. Based on some of the other articles, the feds left the door open to throw more charges on Vick and the others. By pleading guilty to only conspiracy he will have a drastically reduced sentence than the others. If......they are convicted. If they are found innocent, than obviously this dude mad a bad play!

I think he made a wise decision here...This also helps the Feds though.

[ROCKETW19]

maybe hes gonna snitch! this is one of the cases where i wish someone would snitch.

[rado]

:bravonew:

But then again...I don't think he would ever have a normal life...Maybe he'll get killed for snitching.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...nitching&gbv=2

[ROCKETW19]

Originally Posted by rado

:bravonew:

But then again...I don't think he would ever have a normal life...Maybe he'll get killed for snitching.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...nitching&gbv=2

that wouldnt be a bad thing either. shitch on vic the vic has him hurt they both get what they desirve. and for punishment stick thoes fag in a cage naked with some of thoes pits they have hurt.

[rado]

I LOVE IT...I hope this mofo monkey loses all his shit and gets the max allowed...This POS needs to do some time

http://www.boston.com/sports/article...k_funded_ring/

By Associated Press | July 31, 2007

One of Michael Vick's codefendants pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a dogfighting conspiracy he says was financed almost entirely by the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

As part of a plea agreement, Tony Taylor pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and two other men accused of running an interstate dogfighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" on Vick's property in rural Surry County, Va.

"The 'Bad Newz Kennels' operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Vick," a summary of facts supporting the plea agreement and signed by Taylor states.

The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining codefendants if called upon to do so. Taylor cannot get a stiffer sentence or face any new charges based on any new information he provides, according to terms of the agreement.

Additional charges are possible, however, against Vick and the other two. Federal prosecutors have said a superseding indictment will be issued in August.

Vick's lead attorney, Billy Martin, did not immediately return a phone message.

Taylor, 34, of Hampton, Va., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

Vick pleaded not guilty to the same charges last week and said in a written statement that he looked forward to "clearing my good name." He also pleaded with the public to resist a rush to judgment.

The summary of facts signed by Taylor supports the indictment's claims that the dogfighting ring executed underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other brutal means. Taylor admitted shooting one dog and electrocuting another when they did not perform well in test fights in the summer of 2002.

Vick, 27, attended several dogfights in Virginia and other states with his partners, according to the statement. Prosecutors claim the fights offered purses as high as $26,000.

Taylor, who will be sentenced Dec. 14, said he was not promised any specific sentence in return for his cooperation with the government.

Vick and Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, are scheduled for trial Nov. 26. They remain free without bond.

[redsquirrel]

The biggest mistake Vick has made thus far is claiming that he had absolutely no knowledge of this. So, while we all figure out if it's a bad move or not, in the end, IMO-it's a move that will only hurt Vick even more.

[rado]

Originally Posted by redsquirrel

The biggest mistake Vick has made thus far is claiming that he had absolutely no knowledge of this. So, while we all figure out if it's a bad move or not, in the end, IMO-it's a move that will only hurt Vick even more.

Agreed.