Surry County Prosecutor Simply Trying to Let Vick Off, IMO

[Stout]

All reports have heavy evidence, but this guy seems to think there is less and less truth to all the evidence:

Falcons | Dogs at Vick's property not abused according to prosecutor
Fri, 25 May 2007 20:16:59 -0700

The Associated Press reports Surry County Commonwealth attorney Gerald Poindexter said dogs found at a house owned by Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick appeared to have been well cared for, and that just one required immediate veterinary care for a broken leg because of a birth defect. Poindexter pointed out erroneous reports that have surfaced since the raid on Vick's house that said the dogs were malnourished and that many had scarring and injuries consistent with dog fighting. He added there has been difficulty finding someone who specializes in canine forensics, and an absence of eyewitnesses who can confirm that dog fighting took place at the property. However, Poindexter remains confident that charges will be brought, but he did not say who will be charged. He also declined to give a timetable for when evidence will be ready to present to a grand jury.

 

[Captain Matt]

My wife and I have mastiffs and so we have a tender spot in our hearts for the big lazy bums..... Anyhow when we were stationed in TX we found an adult male wandering around the counrtyside who was beyond malnourished and just looked pathetic. As members of mastiff rescue we took it upon ourselves to rehab the big guy before we could place him. Anyhow, dogs are resiliant creatures....... this ADULT MALE mastiff weighed only about 85 pounds when we found him (versus our guys at 190 and 240). And I'm not kidding when I say he put on about 15-20 pounds in the first 3 weeks we had him. In 2 months time he was back up around 120 and looking pretty good (all things considered). My point is that dogs bounce back way better than men. If these dogs were confiscated and have been rehabbing for 2-3 weeks chances are that they do probably look pretty good now-a-days. Hopefully the animal control people took pictures, weights, and etc. and catalogued the type and quantity of food in the house. Otherwise, even if he was guilty, there will be absolutely no way to pove it and the dude will get off scott free.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

My wife and I have mastiffs and so we have a tender spot in our hearts for the big lazy bums..... Anyhow when we were stationed in TX we found an adult male wandering around the counrtyside who was beyond malnourished and just looked pathetic. As members of mastiff rescue we took it upon ourselves to rehab the big guy before we could place him. Anyhow, dogs are resiliant creatures....... this ADULT MALE mastiff weighed only about 85 pounds when we found him (versus our guys at 190 and 240). And I'm not kidding when I say he put on about 15-20 pounds in the first 3 weeks we had him. In 2 months time he was back up around 120 and looking pretty good (all things considered). My point is that dogs bounce back way better than men. If these dogs were confiscated and have been rehabbing for 2-3 weeks chances are that they do probably look pretty good now-a-days. Hopefully the animal control people took pictures, weights, and etc. and catalogued the type and quantity of food in the house. Otherwise, even if he was guilty, there will be absolutely no way to pove it and the dude will get off scott free.

There is one problem. IF the dogs were trained to fight then they will be all euthanized. That is just what happens to fighting dogs. It is too dangerous to take the chance on giving them homes. Once again, IF they are fighting dogs.

It is a really sad situation

 

[Zeno]

You know lost in all this is the fighting dogs were found during a DRUG raid. I never see any mention of what kinds of drugs or if any were found at all. I'm sure if Vick was implicated in that it would have been all over the news though.

I have to believe he knew something was going on there since it not only was a house he owned but was lived in by relatives(his cousin I believe).

 

[Billy Flynt]

This incident is local to me (county right across the river). They had a similar dogfighting incident in the county a few years ago but they screwed up the search and the people got off. There is a huge division in public opinion around here surrounding the case. Vick is a local hero and nearby Norfolk is the home of PETA. Lots of folks are calling it a witch hunt. The prosecutor is trying to make sure all info is available before they make a move.

As far as reports on the case, the credible reports indicate that many of the dogs were heavily scarred and malnourished. There was significant evidence of dogfighting including a dogfighting ring, treadmills, blood soaked rugs and drugs used to treat injured animals. If Vick had any knowledge of the activities they may have a very hard time proving it. For now we just have to wait. I'm sure the cousin is likely to be charged.

 

[Southpaw]

Maybe they are stone walling.

NFL enters probe of Vick

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/25/07

Flowery Branch — NFL security has contacted investigators in Surry County, Va., to offer its services in the investigation of illegal dogfighting at a property owned by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

NFL security personnel visited Surry County offices Thursday unannounced, the person told the AJC. They also had made calls to local officials.

Also, Surry County investigators have spoken to, or plan to speak with, persons who claim to have information regarding dogfighting at the property, the person said.

The NFL declined specific comment on involvement in the investigation. League spokesman Greg Aiello said it is routine for NFL security to get involved in legal matters with players and other league personnel.

Investigators have not interviewed Vick, according to Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter, the prosecutor in the region.

"Not to my knowledge," Poindexter said Thursday.

Vick flew to Virginia after completing the third session of offseason team workouts Thursday at Falcons headquarters in Flowery Branch.

Investigators met Monday to examine evidence in the case. Charges have not yet been filed. Vick has denied knowledge of dogfighting at the rural property.

At least six people lived or worked at the property, Poindexter said. Vick's primary residence is in Duluth, but he did occasionally visit the Virginia property, which is near his hometown of Newport News.

Poindexter has said there was evidence of dogfighting in a two-story house on the property — 66 dogs, mainly pit bulls, were seized — but there might not be enough to file charges at this point. Poindexter emphasized that the investigation is far from over.

Eyewitness testimony has not been needed to gain convictions in dogfighting cases, but "it would help" in this investigation, Poindexter said.

There is no timetable in making a decision to bring charges, Poindexter said.

Based on other recent dogfighting investigations, Vick could play through the season before finding out if he will be cleared.

In a recent federal dogfighting case in Ohio, it took investigators 14 months to file charges. It took 11 months for investigators to gain the conviction of Stacey A. Miller of Richmond, Va., for dogfighting and animal-cruelty.

Under the league's new player-conduct policy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and/or the Falcons could take disciplinary action if Vick is suspected of being involved in dogfighting.

The presence of NFL security shows Goodell is closely watching the situation.

Poindexter, Surry County Sheriff Harold Brown and other state and local investigators reviewed evidence seized from Vick's property in a two-hour meeting Monday. A representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture also attended.

The USDA was involved in the investigation that led to charges in the Ohio dogfighting case.

"We don't comment on, confirm or deny whether we've got any investigative activity ongoing pertaining to a particular situation or incident," said Paul M. Feeney, Deputy Counsel for the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

[Zeno]

Under the league's new player-conduct policy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and/or the Falcons could take disciplinary action if Vick is suspected of being involved in dogfighting.

They don't even have to prove anything it seems, I guess suspicion is enough. Vick is treading on really thin ice. I wonder if his star status will give him the benefit of the doubt?

 

[Gambit]

Under the league's new player-conduct policy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and/or the Falcons could take disciplinary action if Vick is suspected of being involved in dogfighting.

They don't even have to prove anything it seems, I guess suspicion is enough. Vick is treading on really thin ice. I wonder if his star status will give him the benefit of the doubt?

PacMan was never convicted of anything, and he lost a whole year (but I think he did deserve it). Granted, he's not the level of star that Vick is, but it certainly is possible that Vick lose some playing time over this.

Also watch out for Joey Porter, who has a court date soon for that incident with Levi Jones.

 

[Stout]

The plot thickens...


Falcons | Source claims Vick is a heavyweight in dog fighting
Sun, 27 May 2007 10:59:53 -0700

Kelly Naqi, writing for ESPN.com, reports a confidential source says he's been involved in dog fighting for over 30 years and has trained and fought around 2,000 pit bulls. He was poised to tell "Outside the Lines" about the time in 2000 when his dog squared off against a dog owned by someone he referred as one of the "heavyweights" of the dog fighting world. "He's a pit bull fighter," the source said of Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick. "He's one of the ones that they call 'the big boys:' that's who bets a large dollar. And they have the money to bet large money. As I'm talking about large money -- $30,000 to $40,000 -- even higher. He's one of the heavyweights." The source has helped law enforcement by supplying information on dog fights that has led to dozens of felony arrests. The source said Vick is known in the dog fighting community as "the man that comes with all the money" and his reputation is "[that] he brings a good dog and he's going to bet and he's going bring a nice sum of cash."

 

[Shane]

http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/10199826

 

[Sandan]

I think I would like to see him strung up by his body parts

 

[RonF]

This Vick issue isn't over yet.

"ESPN reported over the weekend that an unidentified informant who says he participated in dog fights said that Vick was not only aware of what was going on, he was a major player, betting large amounts of money on the dogs — some of which, the informant says, were Vick’s."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18900252/

How many times in our lifetime do we see people with all the potential in the world, throw it away because of lack of common sense? I know Vick is innocent until proven guilty but he continues to bring negative action upon himself and it must be rough on the Alanta fans. Imagine how we would feel if Matt Leinart had the same issues against him?

 

[CtCardinals78]

wow maybetrading Schaub wasn't such a good idea after all...

 

[Stout]

wow maybetrading Schaub wasn't such a good idea after all...

That wasn't a good idea from the get-go.

 

[Southpaw]

That wasn't a good idea from the get-go.

Imagine the feeling in Atlanta if Schaub becomes a starter in Houston, has a decent year and Vick is either in jail, suspended or turns in another mediocre year.l

 

[Stout]

Imagine the feeling in Atlanta if Schaub becomes a starter in Houston, has a decent year and Vick is either in jail, suspended or turns in another mediocre year.l

I'll laugh like crazy, because it will be their own dumb fault.

 

[blindseyed]

Did you hear Vick say that it doesn't matter what he does, his fans will love him anyway? They played a clip of him walking into a charity event when he said that.

 

[Southpaw]

Did you hear Vick say that it doesn't matter what he does, his fans will love him anyway? They played a clip of him walking into a charity event when he said that.

I would have expected nothing more.

 

[LarryStalling]

I wonder what the impact of gambling will have on Vick's future in the NFL.
The only reason to dog fight is to gamble. It seems to me like there is an awful lot of smoke to be no fire and it sure has the NFL's attention.

 

[Stout]

I wonder what the impact of gambling will have on Vick's future in the NFL.
The only reason to dog fight is to gamble. It seems to me like there is an awful lot of smoke to be no fire and it sure has the NFL's attention.

I don't necessarily think that's true. Not at all. Dogfighting is the modern-day equivalent of bear baiting and other pursuits in the Elizabethan period. Many people wanted (and some still want) to see the barbarity of animals fighting one another.

 

[Redheart]

...Many people wanted (and some still want) to see the barbarity of animals fighting one another.

They should turn on CNN or FOX.

 

[Pariah]

PacMan was never convicted of anything, and he lost a whole year (but I think he did deserve it). Granted, he's not the level of star that Vick is, but it certainly is possible that Vick lose some playing time over this.

Also watch out for Joey Porter, who has a court date soon for that incident with Levi Jones.

The difference between Vick and Jones/Porter, is that he may not have been involved. With the Pacman and Porter cases, there is no question whether or not they were involved in their individual incidents--they were there at the scene; Vick was potentially hundreds of miles away.

 

[Gambit]

The difference between Vick and Jones/Porter, is that he may not have been involved. With the Pacman and Porter cases, there is no question whether or not they were involved in their individual incidents--they were there at the scene; Vick was potentially hundreds of miles away.

Plus he's much more marketable thatn those other guys.

I think it's a safe bet he did know about it, but you are correct in that enough distinguishing facts can be made to get him off the hook, or at least delay it.

 

[Fiasco]

Plus he's much more marketable thatn those other guys.

I think it's a safe bet he did know about it, but you are correct in that enough distinguishing facts can be made to get him off the hook, or at least delay it.

Who cares if he fought dogs enough. The sheer number of women who picked up herpes off the SOB should be enough to crucify him....

 

[Sandan]

I would not object if he decided to fight dogs.

Me I'll bet on the pit bull to chew his ass off, while I cheer.