[CBFF] Vick gets 23 months

[Kenny Claxton]

*Apologetic Vick gets 23-month sentence on dogfighting charges
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*Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday
for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing
pit bulls.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to
five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick, who turned himself
in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white
striped prison suit.

After Vick apologized to the court and his family, Hudson told him: "You
need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."

"Yes, sir,' Vick answered.

Vick acknowledged he used "poor judgment" and added, "I'm willing to deal
with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions."

Federal rules governing time off for good behavior could reduce Vick's
prison stay by about three months, resulting in a summer 2009 release.

Before the hearing started, Michael Vick's brother, Marcus Vick, sat with
his right arm around their mother, comforting her as she buried her head in
her hands and wept.

Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting he bankrolled the "Bad Newz
Kennels" dogfighting operation and helped kill six to eight dogs. He has
been held at a jail in Warsaw, Va., since he voluntarily began serving his
sentence.

In a plea agreement, he admitted bankrolling the dogfighting ring on his
15-acre property in rural southeastern Virginia and helping kill pit bulls
that did not perform well in test fights. He also admitted providing money
for bets on the fights but said he never shared in any winnings.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank called the sentencing "another step in his legal
journey"

"This is a difficult day for Michael's family and for a lot of us, including
many of our players and fans who have been emotionally invested in Michael
over the years," Blank said.

"We sincerely hope that Michael will use this time to continue to focus his
efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that
regard."

At a news conference after pleading guilty last summer, Vick apologized to
the NFL, the Falcons and youngsters who viewed him as a role model and
vowed: "I will redeem myself."

Court papers revealed gruesome details about Vick's dogfighting operation,
including the execution of underperforming dogs by electrocution, drowning,
hanging and other means. Those details prompted a public backlash against
the once-popular NFL star and outraged animal-rights groups, which used the
case to call attention to the brutality of dogfighting.

Vick was suspended without pay by the NFL and lost all of his lucrative
endorsement deals.

Two of Vick's co-defendants were sentenced Nov. 30. Purnell Peace of
Virginia Beach got 18 months, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta 21 months. Another
co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced Friday.

The case began in April when a drug investigation of Vick's cousin led
authorities to the former Virginia Tech star's Surry County property, where
they found dozens of pit bulls -- some of them injured -- and equipment
associated with dogfighting.

Vick initially denied any knowledge about dogfighting on the property. He
changed his story after the three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to
cooperate with the government.

By 8 a.m. Monday, about 50 people were in line outside the courthouse
waiting for the doors to open. About two dozen animal rights activists stood
across the street holding posters showing injured pit bulls and the
messages, "Report Dogfighters" and "Dogs Deserve Justice."

"We want to make sure the focus on the animals in this case isn't lost,"
said Dan Shannon, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.


Julia Novak arrived with her small beagle, Frankie, who wore a sandwich
board with the message on one side: "Dogfighters use dogs like me for bait."


Ryan Eanes, 27, of Richmond, wore his No. 7 Vick jersey as he waited in
line.

"We all make mistakes," Eanes said. "I don't support the situation with the
animals, but I support him. I believe his apology is sincere."