Poll: Pick a knucklehead

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

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

Ranking of State Dogfighting Laws | The Humane Society of the United States

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.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Pocket$ $traight

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.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

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.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Pocket$ $traight

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.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

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.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Pocket$ $traight

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