Vick Dogfighting Case: Star Pleads Guilty, Apologizes

RICHMOND, Virginia - U.S. football star Michael Vick pleaded guilty and publicly apologized on Monday for his role in a dogfighting case that will land him in jail and already has prompted his suspension from the sport.

Standing ramrod straight, Vick said "guilty" when asked by U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson how he would plead to the charge of conspiracy in connection with an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise.

Speaking briefly later to reporters, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback said: "I want to apologize for all the things I've done and all the things I've allowed to happen.

"Dogfighting is a terrible thing and I do reject it," the 27-year-old football star added. "I will redeem myself. I have to."

Hudson said he would sentence Vick on December 10. Vick left the courthouse to boos and cheers from dozens of demonstrators standing across the street.

Vick has admitted he took part in an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels from 2001 through April 2007.

In the court documents, Vick said he knew dogs that did not perform well were killed and admitted to being involved in the killing of at least eight dogs earlier this year.

He said he had bought property in Virginia to serve as the main staging area for housing and training pit bulls that took part in the dogfighting venture.

Vick, who has been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League, faces a maximum of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release.

JUDGE NOT BOUND BY SUGGESTED SENTENCE

Prosecutors have asked the judge to sentence Vick to between 12 and 18 months in prison. But Hudson reminded Vick that he was not bound by the suggested sentence.

"I place a lot of importance on the government recommendation but I want it understood that I am not bound by that part of the plea agreement," Hudson said in court. "The decision is mine in regard to sentencing."

"If I decide you deserve five years, you'll get five years and you can't appeal that. Do you understand that?" Hudson asked.

"Yes, Sir," Vick responded.

In his statement after the hearing, Vick specifically apologized to the National Football League commissioner, the Falcons owner and his teammates for "not being honest" with them about the case. "I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself, to say the least."

After the plea agreement was made public last week, Nike Inc terminated its contract with Vick, calling the dogfighting enterprise "abhorrent." Nike had previously suspended the release of a new Michael Vick shoe that had been set to hit stores this month and Reebok stopped selling his jerseys.

Vick, who signed a 10-year, $130 million contract with the Falcons in 2004, decided to plead guilty after his three co-defendants made their own plea deals with the understanding they would testify against the quarterback.

Dogfighting, in which two dogs bred to fight are placed in a pit to attack each other for spectators' entertainment and gambling, is illegal in the United States.

Prosecutors charged that dogs sometimes fought to the death and that some underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground.

Vick, one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, said he knew that mediocre dogs were killed from 2002 to 2007 and was involved in at least the killing of eight of them.

"All of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning," the documents said. "These dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of him and his partners.

The top pick in the 2001 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech, Vick has made more than $61 million in his six NFL seasons.

A rare talent who threw for 20 touchdowns and ran for more than 1,000 yards last season for the Falcons, he has been heavily criticized in the media and by animal rights groups.

© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved.