Do you want to know what Quantis Phillips said about Vick?

[pikesome]

The Smoking Gun

AUGUST 17--Ratcheting up the pressure on Michael Vick, two of the NFL star's cohorts today pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges, leaving the athlete alone--at least for the time being--to face trial. During an appearance this morning in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace each copped to a felony conspiracy rap and signed plea agreements pledging to cooperate with federal investigators. In nearly identical fact summaries, both Phillips and Peace stated that the dogfighting ring's "operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Vick." Additionally, both men fingered Vick in the execution earlier this year of about eight dogs that performed poorly in test fighting sessions. Phillips and Peace each told investigators that Vick participated in killing the dogs, which were hung or drowned, and that the animals "died as a result of the collective efforts" of the trio. A copy of the Phillips fact summary can be found below. In his fact statement, Peace recalled traveling with Vick and other Bad Newz Kennels figures to a 2003 dog fight in North Carolina. Peace told investigators that, prior to the match, Vick and his Bad Newz cronies, "took a picture together with 'Jane,'" their female pit bull. Presumably, this photo was turned over to probers by Peace and will end up as a government exhibit at a Vick trial. Last month, Tony Taylor was the first Vick crony to cut a deal and agree to testify against the Atlanta Falcons quarterback. With today's guilty pleas, all three of Vick's codefendants have admitted involvement in the operation of Bad Newz Kennels, which the trio has described as a brutal pit bull fighting operation that was headquartered at a Smithfield, Virginia property owned by Vick. (12 pages)

[Delano]

This is great.

It all comes full circle. Vick was blaming these guys for the dog fighting at the onset of the investigation and now they get the chance to set the record straight.

[pikesome]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I could give a shit what others are sentenced. Every case is different.

But MV7 is in a world of hurt. The dogfighting charges are bad enough, but if they can prove the illegal gambling part, he's done for good.

Illegal gambling is an offense subject to a lifetime ban from the NFL.

And even if he isn't banned for life, I don't see why people think he'll ever step foot on an NFL field again.

What owner in their right mind is going to bring in a convicted dog fighter/killer/abuser? The public backlash would be enormous, just like it is now.

A year or two off isn't going to change how people view Vick.

I don't see how he pleads and gets out from under the gambling charges. The NFL doesn't need convictions, we've beat that horse. I'm not sure how he could get up in court and say "Yes, I was involved in dog fighting but never gambled on it". That's even less likely than the "I never inhaled" defense.

[HonestChieffan]

please try not to beet the horse.

[pikesome]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

please try not to beet the horse.

Maybe the horse likes beets, some are high in sugar and horses love sugar.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by DaFace

One thing that I just don't get about this whole thing is why they chose such gruesome deaths for the dogs they killed. Wouldn't some form of fast-acting poison suffice?

This has bothered me too, Mr. DaFace. They could have shot the dogs or, as you say, used cyanide or something. Instead, they chose methods that caused the dogs more suffering. They just sound like guys I grew up with who used to stick baby birds' feet on the pavement with gum, douse them with lighter fluid, and set them on fire.

Psychopathic morons is the term, I believe.

FAX

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by FAX

This has bothered me too, Mr. DaFace. They could have shot the dogs or, as you say, used cyanide or something. Instead, they chose methods that caused the dogs more suffering. They just sound like guys I grew up with who used to stick baby birds' feet on the pavement with gum, douse them with lighter fluid, and set them on fire.

Psychopathic morons is the term, I believe.

FAX

Holy Jesus.

Hope you've found some new friends, Mr. FAX.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Holy Jesus.

Hope you've found some new friends, Mr. FAX.

Actually, I did. Baby bird rescue became my avocation, Mr. OnTheWarpath58. These guys were super nuts. One of them in particular.

Once, when we were about 10 or 11 or so, he got mad for some reason and came after me with a piece of 2x4. The great, young FAX took the 2x4 away from him and beat the ever living crap out of him for several minutes. You should have heard the chirping.

FAX

[Mr. Arrowhead]

if vick had any brains at all, he better take the plea barign

[NaptownChief]

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

if vick had any brains at all, he better take the plea barign

Therein lies the problem.