Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three co-defendants pleaded not guilty this afternoon to federal dog fighting related charges.
Prosecutors did not seek bond for any of the four men during the court proceeding in Richmond federal court.
According to reports from the Atlanta Journal Constitution and inRich.com, Judge Dennis W. Dohnal, presiding over the hearing, determined that Vick was not a flight risk or a threat to safety of the community and ordered his release with some restrictions. All of the defendants had the "common restrictions of being placed under the supervision of the pre-trial services, no violations of any state or federal laws including traffic violations, he must reside at his primary residence, surrender all travel documents, can't travel outside of his federal district, no contact with anyone that may have been involved in the case, no contact with any defendant or being involved in the sale or purchase of any dog, no possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon and no excessive abuse of alcohol. Vick was required to surrender any animal breeding or kennel licenses."
The jury trial is scheduled to begin November 26. If convicted on the interstate-commerce portion of the charge, each defendant faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted on the dogfighting portion, each faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
For the latest information on the Vick case go to khou.com or inrich.com or ajc.com
Of course they've pleaded not guilty! Hhmmm...5yrs & $250,000 fine for the interstate-commerce portion and only 1yr & $100,000 for the dog fighting portion. The later seems like a pretty weak penalty to me. I just can't get those poor dogs (the fighters and the bait dogs) out of my mind. Dog fighting is such a horrific, sad, tragic blight on the world.
A blight caused by horrific people such as Vick and his accomplices!!