The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Michael Vick plans to enter a plea next week on the state dogfighting charges he faces in Virginia, a court official told the Associated Press.
According to Surry County Circuit Court administrator Sally Neblett, a hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 30 on a motion to hear a plea from the imprisoned Falcons quarterback. The plea will be entered by video conference.
The Virginian-Pilot reported that Vick plans to plead guilty to the state charges in hopes of winning an early release from federal prison based on documents filed in Surry County Circuit Court. Vick is currently serving a 23-month sentence on felony charges related to dogfighting.
Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter previously announced he would not seek a trial date for Vick, and his three co-defendants, until they have served their federal time due to logistics and expense. The Virginia indictment charges Vick with one count of torturing and killing dogs and one count of promoting dogfighting. Each carries a maximum five-year prison term.
Citing court papers, the newspaper said Vick would enter a halfway house.
The newspaper said that Vick needs to resolve his state charges before he can be eligible for entry into a halfway house. Vick’s scheduled release date is July 20 and the soonest he could enter a program is six months before that.