Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick’s pals ratted him out this morning.  (Read their 12-page written statement here.) His two dogfighting business partners accepted a plea bargain, and as part of their deal, offered up evidence that Vick executed dogs who failed to pass preliminary test fight standards by electrocuting, hanging, or drowning them.  With this deal, Vick is left standing as the sole defendant in the federal criminal case.

Vick’s got a deadline today to take a deal, too - with a recommendation of one year in jail - or go forward, alone, to stand trial on all these charges.  Specifically, Michael Vick has been already charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.  These charges have mandatory punishments under the sentencing guidelines established under federal law, and carry a maximum prison term of five years and a $250,000 fine.   Executing the dogs?  More charges can be added. 

Should he take the deal?

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The latest news reports are that Ving Rhames’ dogs are not responsible for the death of their caretaker, although more than one dog did bite the man, more than once.   The autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning; the four dogs that were found loose on the property (three Mastiffs and one Bulldog) have been taken, and are being held, by the authorities.

What happens now?

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