Not good news for Michael Vick
One of Vick's co-defendants sold him out this morning [:D]
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=129377&ran=214538&tref=po
RICHMOND -- A co-defendant told federal prosecutors that Michael Vick "almost exclusively funded" a dogfighting operation known as "Bad Newz Kennels" and provided the money to bet on matches, according to a document released today in conjunction with the man's guilty plea in U.S. District Court.
Tony Taylor of Hampton formally accepted a plea deal this morning to the charge that he conspired with Vick, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips to create and run a dogfighting venture in 2001. Taylor said he left the operation in September 2004 "following a disagreement with Phillips and others," according to the statement of facts that was filed with his guilty plea today.
Taylor told U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson he voluntarily confessed to committing the crime in partnership with Peace, Phillips and Vick, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and a Newport News native. He has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the cases against Vick and the other defendants.
Taylor faces a maximum term of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His plea agreement did not promise him any reduction in that sentence.
"You're pleading guilty and taking your chances, you understand that?" Hudson asked Taylor during a 15-minute hearing.
"Yes, all right," Taylor replied, his arms hanging loosely by his sides.
The men are accused of using a rural Surry County property that Vick bought in 2001 as the base for the dogfighting operation.
A 13-page statement of facts that was filed with Taylor's plea describes eight matches that Vick attended or sponsored between late 2002 and 2004, with dogs named Jane, Big Boy, Zebro, Magic, Tiny and Too Short.
The statement is information that Taylor agrees is true and the government says it would prove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Taylor, Phillips and, sometimes, Peace generally split the gambling proceeds from the fights, the document says. Taylor used a large portion of his winnings for living expenses, since he spent much of his time caring for and training the fighting dogs, the document says.
The group put the name "Bad Newz Kennels" to the operation in early 2002, according to the document.
"At one point, the defendants obtained shirts and headbands representing and promoting their affiliation with `Bad Newz Kennels,'" the summary says.
Vick pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy at his arraignment hearing on Thursday. A Nov. 26 trial date was set for him and his co-defendants.
Taylor will be sentenced Dec. 14. He wore a yellow short-sleeved dress shirt and slacks but no tie at the court hearing today. He did not speak with reporters as he left the courthouse in downtown Richmond and jumped into a black Nissan Altima. Four protesters with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals waved posters picturing a mauled pit bull.
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=129377&ran=214538&tref=po
RICHMOND -- A co-defendant told federal prosecutors that Michael Vick "almost exclusively funded" a dogfighting operation known as "Bad Newz Kennels" and provided the money to bet on matches, according to a document released today in conjunction with the man's guilty plea in U.S. District Court.
Tony Taylor of Hampton formally accepted a plea deal this morning to the charge that he conspired with Vick, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips to create and run a dogfighting venture in 2001. Taylor said he left the operation in September 2004 "following a disagreement with Phillips and others," according to the statement of facts that was filed with his guilty plea today.
Taylor told U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson he voluntarily confessed to committing the crime in partnership with Peace, Phillips and Vick, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and a Newport News native. He has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the cases against Vick and the other defendants.
Taylor faces a maximum term of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His plea agreement did not promise him any reduction in that sentence.
"You're pleading guilty and taking your chances, you understand that?" Hudson asked Taylor during a 15-minute hearing.
"Yes, all right," Taylor replied, his arms hanging loosely by his sides.
The men are accused of using a rural Surry County property that Vick bought in 2001 as the base for the dogfighting operation.
A 13-page statement of facts that was filed with Taylor's plea describes eight matches that Vick attended or sponsored between late 2002 and 2004, with dogs named Jane, Big Boy, Zebro, Magic, Tiny and Too Short.
The statement is information that Taylor agrees is true and the government says it would prove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Taylor, Phillips and, sometimes, Peace generally split the gambling proceeds from the fights, the document says. Taylor used a large portion of his winnings for living expenses, since he spent much of his time caring for and training the fighting dogs, the document says.
The group put the name "Bad Newz Kennels" to the operation in early 2002, according to the document.
"At one point, the defendants obtained shirts and headbands representing and promoting their affiliation with `Bad Newz Kennels,'" the summary says.
Vick pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy at his arraignment hearing on Thursday. A Nov. 26 trial date was set for him and his co-defendants.
Taylor will be sentenced Dec. 14. He wore a yellow short-sleeved dress shirt and slacks but no tie at the court hearing today. He did not speak with reporters as he left the courthouse in downtown Richmond and jumped into a black Nissan Altima. Four protesters with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals waved posters picturing a mauled pit bull.
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Can Vick say this is Bad Newz? Don 0 -
Dear Mike Vick:
Whoops!
Sincerely,
royc38
ps. ky jelly is on sale right now.0 -
Does anybody feel sorry for Vick? I know i don't. 0 -
Good.
I hope he goes to prison and is miserable for as long as he is there.0 -
Whenever there's a group arrest, there's always someone who's willing to deal, particularly where there's a celebrity involved. Taylor probably already signed a book deal, too. Don't you just love the legal system?
This is local news for us and all of the experts say that Vick's defense team is probably going to ask for more time to "prepare for trial" in light of the plea agreement (translation: Make up some legal BS to refute Taylor's testimony or arrange a special "one-way vacation" for the co-defendant)0 -
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
Whenever there's a group arrest, there's always someone who's willing to deal, particularly where there's a celebrity involved. Taylor probably already signed a book deal, too. Don't you just love the legal system?
This is local news for us and all of the experts say that Vick's defense team is probably going to ask for more time to "prepare for trial" in light of the plea agreement (translation: Make up some legal BS to refute Taylor's testimony or arrange a special "one-way vacation" for the co-defendant)
I hope everyone involved rots in jail. I'd wish they were anally abused repeatedly each and every day they were there, but that would not be very christianlike of me. So, I won't go there.0 -
nothing sicker than the systematic torture of any animal.
I hope that he gets a fair trial.
Ben0 -
quote:Not good news for Michael Vick
any bad news for him is great news0 -
I knew Vick wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box, but I didn't realize he was a total idiot. That's assuming this guy is telling the truth. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
I knew Vick wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box, but I didn't realize he was a total idiot. That's assuming this guy is telling the truth.
I'm basing my opinion on what was found on Vick's property. There is no chance in hell that Vick wasn't at least aware of what was going on.
That makes him as guilty as those who were participating IMO.0 -
IF he's found guilty, I hope he rots in jail. But there is still that old thing we have in America about innocent until proven guilty. This Taylor guy will be a defenders dream on the stand. A gang-banger cannot offer up much believable testimony. A defense attorney will have a field day with him. According to ESPN, after the initial allegations started, Vick threw this guy out of the house, cut off his money, and essentially left him homeless and broke. Don't you think he has a small ax to grind against Vick? As I said, the high-powered attorney's Vick can afford will have a field day against this loser. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by iluvguns
IF he's found guilty, I hope he rots in jail. But there is still that old thing we have in America about innocent until proven guilty. This Taylor guy will be a defenders dream on the stand. A gang-banger cannot offer up much believable testimony. A defense attorney will have a field day with him. According to ESPN, after the initial allegations started, Vick threw this guy out of the house, cut off his money, and essentially left him homeless and broke. Don't you think he has a small ax to grind against Vick? As I said, the high-powered attorney's Vick can afford will have a field day against this loser.
In the eyes of the law, he is innocent until proven guilty. In the eyes of the people, there is no such protection.0 -
O.K. , I stick with my org. comment on this issue ...This should end with Public Hangings for All Involved !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely !!!
d.a.stearns
Gunsmith / LEO
Niota , Tn
Nothing Lower than a person who abuses animals & kids ............0 -
I'll bring the rope and the gas to burn the bodies after they are cut down. Better yet, let them hang til they rot. 0
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