Federal sentencing
On December 10, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison. Judge Hudson said he was "convinced that it was not a momentary lack of judgment" on Vick's part, and that Vick was a "full partner" in the dog fighting ring.[55] Hudson also noted that, despite Vick's claims that he accepted responsibility for his actions, his failure to cooperate fully with Federal officials coupled with a failed drug test and a failed polygraph showed that Vick had not accepted full responsibility for "promoting, funding and facilitating this cruel and inhumane sporting activity".[49]
[edit] State criminal prosecution
Long anticipated separate Virginia charges against all four men were placed following indictments by the Surry County grand jury when it met on September 25, 2007. The principal evidence considered was the sworn statements of the defendants during their plea agreement process before the federal court, although the indictments are for different charges. Vick was charged with two class 6 felonies in Virginia, which carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for conviction on each charge.[56]
After several delays, Vick's trial in Surry County Circuit Court was postponed in June, 2008 until after his eventual release from federal custody. Virginia's local prosecutor, Gerald Poindexter, cited the high costs and transportation logistics of proceeding while he was still in federal prisons in Kansas and Florida. With good behavior Vick, could be out [of federal custody] on July 20, 2009, Poindexter said. [57] On October 14, 2008, Vick's original attorney, Lawrence Woodward filed a motion to enter a plea via two-way electronic video with the Surry County Courts.[58] The Norfolk Virginia-Pilot newspaper reported that Vick planned to plead guilty to state charges in an effort to get an early release from federal prison and enter a halfway house. [59]
[edit] State trial and sentencing
In late November, 2008 Vick was transported to Virginia to face the state charges. [8] On November 25, he appeared before the Surry County Circuit Court at a session held in neighboring Sussex County (because the Surry court building was undergoing renovation). He submitted a guilty plea to a single Virginia felony charge for dog fighting, receiving a 3 year prison sentence and $2500 fine. In return for the plea agreement, additional state charges were dropped. [3] [5]
