Vick indicted in dog fighting case

[litAKAtor]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Not trying to argue........but it isn't just the media that is all over this guy. Watch ESPN sometime.........I have seen probably 7 or 8 different defense attorneys and prosecutors that all agree that Vick is in a serious, serious amount of trouble. Now, this may have changed, but ESPN's head legal analyst also said that the state (Georgia) isn't going to charge him with anything simply because the Federal Courts have such a strong case against him. I dunno, I just don't think they take him to court without a strong case. (read: they don't start trials that they don't have a very, very strong chance of winning).

Don't get me wrong, I never said the allegations weren't serious, they are . . but don't be misled either . . just because someone is indicted doesn't mean they will win. neither does it mean that the government has a very very strong change of winning. . it just means there was enough evidence to proceed to trial. . .the "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" standard is a VERY HIGH standard . .and unless they have some fool proof hard core tangible evidence linking him . . the informant testimony may not fly.

Furthermore, the whole "I didn't know what was going on there" defense is pretty weak. Pretty sure you are responsible for what happens on your property.

In some cases you are. . but not always. They have to present evidence that he either was acquiescing to what was going on, or was an active participant. . both of which require that he have some knowledge. Just because something happens on your property doesn't necessarily mean you are always responsible. Case in point .. if you rent a house to someone and someone is selling drugs out of the house, you aren't responsible and can't be held criminally liable for the trafficking of drugs unless there is some evidence that you knew that activity was going on. KNOWLEDGE is key here and if they don't have any evidence that he knew what was going on - the charges aren't going to stick . .period

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by litAKAtor

Don't get me wrong, I never said the allegations weren't serious, they are . . but don't be misled either . . just because someone is indicted doesn't mean they will win. neither does it mean that the government has a very very strong change of winning. .

I read recently that the US Government has something like a 95% (maybe 98%) success rate in trials and hasn't lost a case since 1994. I just don't think they take cases to trial that they don't think they have an excellent chance of winning.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by macallan25

I read recently that the US Government has something like a 95% (maybe 98%) success rate in trials and hasn't lost a case since 1994. I just don't think they take cases to trial that they don't think they have an excellent chance of winning.

Especially high profile cases with the kind of evidence that has leaked out about this one.

You wouldn't want to think they're going to lose this one, but I'm constantly surprised by the government's ability to goof stuff up.

[ZTABullwinkle]

My fiancee thinks that he will be able to get a lawyer who will be able to get the innocent verdict. I think he is screwed.

It seems to me that the amount of time that has passed was specifically so the government had a case. At least the government is doing more than the Commonwealth's Attorney for Surry County. (Yet again, the Surry County grand jury met this week. The CA wants to investigate more before he presents anything to the grand jury. Umm, yeah....right!)

They are expecting a circus at the court tomorrow. Blocking streets to traffic among other things. I am sure I will have my fill of the whole arraginment by tomorrow night.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

My fiancee thinks that he will be able to get a lawyer who will be able to get the innocent verdict. I think he is screwed.

It seems to me that the amount of time that has passed was specifically so the government had a case. At least the government is doing more than the Commonwealth's Attorney for Surry County. (Yet again, the Surry County grand jury met this week. The CA wants to investigate more before he presents anything to the grand jury. Umm, yeah....right!)

They are expecting a circus at the court tomorrow. Blocking streets to traffic among other things. I am sure I will have my fill of the whole arraginment by tomorrow night.

If Jeffrey Skilling couldn't hire a good enough lawyer to get him out of trouble........I seriously doubt Michael Vick could.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by macallan25

If Jeffrey Skilling couldn't hire a good enough lawyer to get him out of trouble........I seriously doubt Michael Vick could.

To be fair, Vick has a LOT of advantages Skilling did not simply by being a pro athlete and a larger public figure (plus Skilling's attorneys botched several important issues, including "outing" his witness preparation consultant, etc) . . . but yeah, in general I agree. This is the type of case where a great attorney may not make any difference - bad facts make bad law, and all those platitudes.

[litAKAtor]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

Especially high profile cases with the kind of evidence that has leaked out about this one.

You wouldn't want to think they're going to lose this one, but I'm constantly surprised by the government's ability to goof stuff up.

Exactly . . in a Jury System NOTHING is 100% . .

[virgo921]

I wonder what the potential penalty is for all of the charges against him. No offense to any animal lovers but Vick is getting this attention because he's famous. Charge him, try him, convict if necessary and let's move on.

Is it just me?

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally Posted by virgo921

I wonder what the potential penalty is for all of the charges against him. No offense to any animal lovers but Vick is getting this attention because he's famous. Charge him, try him, convict if necessary and let's move on.

Is it just me?

I believe it is a maximum sentence of six years if convicted.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by virgo921

I wonder what the potential penalty is for all of the charges against him. No offense to any animal lovers but Vick is getting this attention because he's famous. Charge him, try him, convict if necessary and let's move on.

Is it just me?

I agree with this. Honestly though, Vick couldn't have picked a worse time to get into trouble. I believe the federal law against animal fighting was just passed in May. Vick is, I believe, only the 2nd or 3rd person to be charged with animal fighting on a large scale.

[DaemonSeid]

Reuter - In response to the turmoil surrounding Falcons start quarterback Michael Vick. The Director of Operations released an artist's rendition of the Atlanta Falcon's new logo. His explanation was that the Falcons organization is standing behind the enbattled star as he deal with an ongoing investigation in to allegations of dog fighting at his home in Virginia.

Vick at present has been asked to take a leave of absence so that he can concentrate on his legal woes.

It is unclear at present what Vick's future will be should he be cleared of all charges.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by virgo921

I wonder what the potential penalty is for all of the charges against him. No offense to any animal lovers but Vick is getting this attention because he's famous. Charge him, try him, convict if necessary and let's move on.

Is it just me?

Originally Posted by macallan25

I agree with this. Honestly though, Vick couldn't have picked a worse time to get into trouble. I believe the federal law against animal fighting was just passed in May. Vick is, I believe, only the 2nd or 3rd person to be charged with animal fighting on a large scale.

Don't you think the "powers that be" for the Falcon's organization had to find a way to get outta of a contract with him? Even if a major "animal fighting law" was passed, "they" KNEW Vick's weakness for this kind of "alternative enjoyment and sport"...