Former NFL star Michael Vick pleaded guilty this morning in Sussex County court to a single dogfighting charge and received a suspended three-year sentence.
The prosecution agreed to not prosecute a second felony count of cruelty to animals. In a statement that was barely audible, Vick apologized to the court, his family and "all the kids out there," who had viewed him as a role model.
The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback was held over the weekend at the Riverside Regional Jail in Hopewell. He was moved there from the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., where he's serving a 23-month sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy conviction.
Vick's charges were in Surry County, but the courts building there is under construction and was not available for Vick's appearance.
His lawyers said they hope the plea will make him eligible for early release from prison into a halfway house designed to ease his return to society.
Vick is scheduled to be released from Leavenworth on July 20, 2009, according to the Bureau of Prisons Web site, 20 months to the day since he reported in advance of his Dec. 10, 2007, sentencing to begin serving his time.
William R. "Billy" Martin, one of Vick's lawyers, said, "We hope this day marks the end of the legal battles for Michael Vick."
Another Vick lawyer, Lawrence Woodward, said Vick "is going to be judged on his actions at this point, not his words."
His main goal at this point is to get back to his family, the lawyers said. Vick's agent has indicated that Vick wants to return to the NFL as soon as possible.
About nine PETA protesters spent the morning outside the Sussex courthouse holding grisly posters of dogs involved in dogfighting.
Dan Shannon said the protesters want Vick to speak out against dogfighting.
Vick's family, including brother Marcus Vick, attended the hearing today.
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