Poll: Pick a knucklehead

I vividly remember experts talking on sports radio about how the severity of Vick's sentence was unusual, especially given his lack of prior convictions.

Most people don't have PETA outside their courthouse when they show up for trial.
The "experts" on whatever show you were listening to didn't know WTF they were talking about. Vick's sentence was mid-range of the sentencing guidelines. Considering he was the leader of a dogfighting organization, he probably got off with a light sentence.

In VA Dogfighting is a Class 6 Felony with a max sentence of 5 years and $ 2,500 fine.

Dogfighting Laws - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101888.html)

Ranking of State Dogfighting Laws | The Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/ranking_state_dogfighting_laws.html#va)

The "experts" on whatever show you were listening to didn't know WTF they were talking about. Vick's sentence was mid-range of the sentencing guidelines. Considering he was the leader of a dogfighting organization, he probably got off with a light sentence.

In VA Dogfighting is a Class 6 Felony with a max sentence of 5 years and $ 2,500 fine.

Dogfighting Laws - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101888.html)

Ranking of State Dogfighting Laws | The Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/ranking_state_dogfighting_laws.html#va)


Well Wikipedia said that his co-conspirators received sentences longer than the prosecutors requested and his was longer than theirs. The failed drug test and the fact that it didn't appear that he was fully cooperating with officials added time.

The max is five years. Most people never get the maximum for anything.

Well Wikipedia said that his co-conspirators received sentences longer than the prosecutors requested and his was longer than theirs. The failed drug test and the fact that it didn't appear that he was fully cooperating with officials added time.

The max is five years. Most people never get the maximum for anything.
Vick's sentence was in-line with other sentences given out for others committing a similar crime. The judge in this case was a very "by-the-book" judge, he determined the sentence. His credibility and judgement has not been called into question by those who understand the legal system and sentencing.

Vick's sentence was in-line with other sentences given out for others committing a similar crime. The judge in this case was a very "by-the-book" judge, he determined the sentence. His credibility and judgement has not been called into question by those who understand the legal system and sentencing.

I am not saying the judge was unusually harsh. What was unusual was that the feds even got involved.

From what I remember, the local authorities were going to ignore it then the public outcry began to swirl. So the feds stepped in because they already had an ongoing investigation on one of the co-conspirators and then the transporting of dogs over state lines etc gave them an avenue to move forward. VA piled on after the feds were moving forward against him.

I am not saying the judge was unusually harsh. What was unusual was that the feds even got involved.

From what I remember, the local authorities were going to ignore it then the public outcry began to swirl. So the feds stepped in because they already had an ongoing investigation on one of the co-conspirators and then the transporting of dogs over state lines etc gave them an avenue to move forward. VA piled on after the feds were moving forward against him.Correct on the bolded point. Your take is right on. Many here in Hampton Roads (and obviously at the Fed level) felt the local prosecutor Poindexter was going to sweep this under the rug when the investigation appeared to be slowing to a crawl. The Feds and State (correctly IMO) jumped in to make sure this was prosecuted correctly and Vick & crew punished. When Poindexter saw the public opinion going against him and he had a re-election coming up is when he changed his tune and piled-on.

Well Wikipedia said that his co-conspirators received sentences longer than the prosecutors requested and his was longer than theirs. The failed drug test and the fact that it didn't appear that he was fully cooperating with officials added time.

The max is five years. Most people never get the maximum for anything.

Max is five years unless you're this guy (http://network.bestfriends.org/stopbsl/news/20725.html)

I am suprised that most of you would rather have an unproven Brandon Marshall, than Plax, who has carried NY on his back and to a SuperBowl win, very interesting...

Correct on the bolded point. Your take is right on. Many here in Hampton Roads (and obviously at the Fed level) felt the local prosecutor Poindexter was going to sweep this under the rug when the investigation appeared to be slowing to a crawl. The Feds and State (correctly IMO) jumped in to make sure this was prosecuted correctly and Vick & crew punished. When Poindexter saw the public opinion going against him and he had a re-election coming up is when he changed his tune and piled-on.

Exactly. Poindexter was pretty belligerant with reporters about investigating the case until the feds stepped in. He said there wasn't anything to the case and practically refused to investigate. He looked like the idiot that he is when charges were pressed by the feds.

I'll trade the broncos 1 Moss and 1 Randle El for 1 Marshall.

Without completely hijacking the thread, what Stallworth did was unintentional. When the accident happened he stopped, took full responsibility and cooperated with police. Goodell hasn't metted out any punishment yet, but I would like to see some sort of suspension for a significant time. 30 days in jail for DUI manslaughter sounds like a very light sentence.

What Vick did was completely intentional, cold-hearted and sick and happened over a period of years. He lied to the Falcons and NFL about it. It's not like Vick got drunk and ran into a dog pound accidently.

Intent or no intent, IMO people>animals. I am a dog owner and pet lover but the comparison is absurd.