Michael Vick gets suspended sentence after state dogfighting plea

A prominent federal defendant is back in the news today after a state plea and sentence.  This local article provides the basics:

Michael Vick entered a guilty plea to state dogfighting charges this morning.  In a plea agreement that was signed before his court appearance, Vick will receive a three-year suspended prison term and a $2,500 fine. He also received four years probation.  The fine will be suspended if Vick pays court costs and maintains good behavior for four years.

Vick did address the court with a short statement.  “I would like to apologize to the court, my family and to the kids that I let down as a role model.  I’m very remorseful for my actions,” he said….

Last Thursday, the quarterback was moved from Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is serving a 23-month federal sentence on felony charges related to dogfighting.  He was in Hopewell Regional Jail before coming to court here.

Vick is scheduled to be released from federal prison July 20, 2009. If his state case is completed, he would become eligible to participate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons re-entry program. The program could include an early release and a stay at a halfway house for up to six months.