Celebrity Justice
Vick: I Was Part of a Group That Killed Dogs

TMZ has obtained the plea agreement in the Michael Vick case. In it, Vick "admits the facts set forth in the statement of facts."

A portion of the summary of facts reads "Vick agreed to the killing of approximately 6-8 dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions ..." It continues, "All of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning."

The plea agreement reads, "the defendant agrees to forfeit all interests in any and all dogs involved (in) an animal fighting venture that the defendant owns or over which the defendant exercises control ... including but not limited to the approximately 54 pit bulldogs recovered from the residence ... "

The agreement also states that Vick will plead guilty to charges of conspiracy and sponsoring a dog in an animal fighting venture. He's also admitted to providing funding for dog food, medicine and purse fees for dog fighting competitions.

Vick could face up to 5 years in prison along with a substantial fine.

Story developing ...




Reader Comments

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61. You are so right -My dog hates Michael Vick, I also live in the same area and those poor animals are still getting a raw deal. Because Vick and his posse have made these dogs into fighters they are going to be completely unadoptable and then will be put down. Take this SOB Vick and make an example out of him, no amount of jail or prison will make up for the torture he put those poor dogs through. I hate this bastard with everything that's in me!

Posted at 1:35PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Hang em high

62. mr. al sharpton, how do you feel about this. mmmmmmmmm

Posted at 1:35PM on Aug 24th 2007 by big joe

63. ivan noel - Why are you bringing George Bush into this? You are such a complete dufus! If this was a story about Paris crapping in a toilet and plugging it up, you would probably blame Bush, as well. Go take your Bush-hating rhetoric somewhere else.

Posted at 1:35PM on Aug 24th 2007 by get over it

64. To Kate (#30): Many serial killers do get their start torturing & killing animals. Then when theky don't get their jollies killing animals, they move on to torturing & killing people. What happens when fighting dogs is not exciting to Vick & his little gambling gang? I hope he does hard time in prison!

Posted at 10:26PM on Aug 27th 2007 by Tigi

65. This demented individual is going to understand about prison justice. I worked in one and I can tell you if justice isn't served in he courtroom it will be in prison. Child abusers and animal killers fare rather poorly. He isn't safe even out of prison. There are animal lovers who are driven over the top by these kinds of stories and if one is perhaps not able to control themselves, he wouldn't be safe out of prison either. What kind of person kills an animal because they "perform poorly". Maybe the NFL/AFL should start that policy. The aggression and the huge monetary reward breeds people who act out. This should be a wake up call. If you know of anyone abusing any animal, not only fighting dogs, report it. I wonder how many people knew exactly where those animals were and what was going on besides the participants.

Posted at 1:38PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Barbara

66. Hanging and Drowning. Those are not techniques used to quickly put a dog down. They are forms of torture prior to murder. This is one sick SOB and anyone who defends this Cretenous Afterbirth had better watch over their shoulders for a very long time. MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH

Posted at 3:12PM on Aug 24th 2007 by tarintay

67. I agree, however.. Everyone who was out on the road while Lindsey, Paris, Nicole etc were out driving drunk an on drugs were in harms way.
I don't support what Vick but fair is fair people..

Posted at 1:40PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Hmmph

68. This guy is a sociopath. All these football fans supporting him are sociopaths too.

Posted at 1:41PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Paris Sucks

69. Ivan,

Yes George Bush is a monster as well, but he is our president and Michael Vick is an ATHLETE. It's like comparing apples to oranges. Let's get back on subject shall we?

Okay, soo..I am an animal lover and have my big rottweiler sitting here at my feet as I type. What this man did is wrong, I think we all get that by now. In a bigger picture, he LIED to EVERYONE. A man that will lie to those that have respect for him (some still do unfortunately) is not a man of very high character at all.

This man has NO MORALS, NO CHARACTER, NO RESPECT.....he's a crap role model. Just a few weeks ago he was saying "I'm innocent", he lied to the NFL, he lied to the people on his team, and he LIED to the american people and his fans...all with a straight face.

GAMBLING, whether it be on dogs, baseball, football, etc. is a LIFETIME ban from professional sports. Pete Rose suffered his life time ban, and he was not even betting on such a brutal and disgusting thing.

Let's overlook the killing of dogs, which I am not sure we can do....let's look at the big picture even for all of you that don't really care about animals.

This guy is worthless...if they let this guy play football again I will never again watch, and I am a huge football fan.

Posted at 1:43PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Mother in California

70. Five years is NOT long enough! What a sub-life!!

Posted at 1:53PM on Aug 24th 2007 by sueinwa

71. I think he what he deserves more than what he is getting. I hope when he gets out he never plays football again. I have two of the most loveable pitbulls and I cant imagine how someone would want to hurt them or kill them the way he did.

Posted at 10:32PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Krystin

72. As soon as Vick 'under performs' HANG HIM

Posted at 1:45PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Lala

73. This thug will never play for the NFL again, (Goodell has no choice but to ban him for life once his guilty plea to the conspiracy count is adjudicated since wagering was considered an integral component of the conspiracy conviction). After the feds are done with him, the Commonwealth of Virginia intends to pursue felony animal abuse/cruelty charges against this monster. Each count carries a maximum of 5 years incarceration. The feds definitely gave him a break by not pursuing the RICO counts (they presented their case Monday to a Federal Grand Jury - each RICO conviction carries a penalty of up to 20 years). The state charges are not considered 'double jeopardy' because there are no specific federal criminal statutes that penalizes "animal cruelty" only interstate transport + breeding of dogs for the purposes of wagering (unfortunately these offenses were only federal misdemeanors until after May 2007 - Vick's offenses occurred prior to that + are not retroactive). Vick is most certainly NEVER going to obtain the lucrative corporate endorsement sponsors, his crimes are just too heinous, reprehensible + atrocious to stomach - even the most ardent of Vick supporters will jeer the guy if he sets foot on an American football field again. Based on Blank's recently released comments, his future with the Falcons is most likely history.

While it is true that a conviction for wagering/gambling requires an automatic suspension for life under the current NFL morals/conduct policies, don't be so sure that Vick will be getting any break from this federal judge. Regardless of the Plea Agreement between the government (AUSA) + Vick's "dream team" of attorneys, U.S. District Court judge Henry Hudson is known as a very harsh sentencing judge who uses the middle of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines scale as the base + then applies 'enhancements', such as being a "leader" in the conspiracy. Hudson also happens to be known as an avid dog lover. Under the terms of Vick's Plea Agreement, the court has the final decision + tremendous discretion in sentencing, so technically Vick could receive the maximum of 60 months. By signing the Plea Agreement with the feds, Vick has waived his right to appeal, so let's hope Hudson throws the book at this piece of human rubbish! Between the federal time (+ the subsequent potential of a multiple felony prosecution by the Commonwealth of Virginia, he will be way passed his prime when he finally gets out of the slammer, even if the League doesn't suspend him for life. Michael Vick's professional career in the NFL is OVER! Maybe he can find a job as a high school football coach. Talk about taking a cut in pay! LOL

Posted at 1:46PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Leonard

74. He is and always will be a liar. The ONLY reason he has admitted anything is to save his sorry ass. Now he will continue to lie to save whats left of it.................NEVER LET VIVK PLAY PRO BALL AGAIN and make him pay back the money he was already paid. He lied to everyone! Make sure he serves ALL his time.

Posted at 2:33PM on Aug 24th 2007 by Frances

75. This sickens me, and to think of how many more people are out there doing this to animals.

Posted at 1:48PM on Aug 24th 2007 by roses

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