Vick Dogfighting Sentences To Be Handed Down Today

Friday, November 30th 2007, 7:55 am

By: News On 6

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Michael Vick may get a preview of his fate today when a federal judge sentences two of his co-defendants in the dogfighting case. Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach, Virginia, could each get up to five years in prison for taking part in a Virginia dogfighting conspiracy. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest a year to 18 months.

Vick is to be sentenced December 10th and faces the same maximum punishment. All have pleaded guilty in federal court in Richmond.

Vick has already begun serving his time. The fallen NFL star unexpectedly turned himself in three weeks ago. Phillips, Peace and another defendant pleaded guilty in the case last summer and agreed to testify against Vick. Vick then entered his own guilty plea.

All four men also face state charges.

One Richmond lawyer says today's sentences will give an indication of the judge's attitude toward the dogfighting ring's activities, which included executing dogs that didn't do well.