Falcons’ Vick pleads not guilty

Fri., July 27, 2007

Newport News (va.) Daily Press The Spokesman-Review

RICHMOND, Va. – NFL quarterback Michael Vick pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon to conspiracy charges related to dogfighting.

Wearing a dark suit and clasping his hands behind his back, Vick said he understood the charges against him before he entered the not guilty plea and requested a trial by jury.

Vick and three co-defendants who also pleaded not guilty were in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va., for a bond hearing and an arraignment. Their trial was set for Nov. 26.

Vick, 27, was indicted July 17 on charges of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal-fighting venture. Three of his friends, Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton, Va., Purnell Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, were also indicted.

Although the four will remain free pending trial, U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis W. Dohnal ordered them to adhere to certain conditions, including surrendering their passports, not selling or possessing any dogs, and not traveling within the continental United States without prior court approval.

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Falcons’ Vick pleads not guilty

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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