Vick Accepting Plea Deal

This is a developing story, but NFL quarterback Michael Vick appears to have accepted a plea deal. The Virginian-Pilot says that Michael Vick will accept a plea deal in the dog fighting case, which includes prison time.

UPDATE:
It's official. He is going to plead guilty on felony conspiracy charges.

Vick will enter a guilty plea to the felony conspiracy charge next Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, said Lawrence Woodward, one of Vick's defense attorneys, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

"Michael wishes to apologize to everyone who has been hurt by this manner," a statement read Monday.

U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who is presiding over the case, said he has the leeway to sentence Vick and his co-defendants as he deems fit and is not bound by the recommended sentences given to him by the prosecution, USA Today said.

CNN also said that Vick's attorneys are hoping to hear from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday about what options would be available to the Atlanta Falcons star quarterback if he does accept a plea deal.

A grand jury was scheduled to convene Monday in the federal court where Vick and three co-defendants were indicted on dogfighting charges last month.

There’s no indication whether the grand jury will take up further allegations against Vick, although federal prosecutors have said they plan to seek a superseding indictment in the case.

That would mean more charges against Vick, the lone defendant who has not been convicted now that all three of his co-defendants have reached plea deals.

Vick’s attorneys were negotiating with federal prosecutors last week, hoping to strike a deal on a plea agreement.

By striking a plea deal, Vick's lawyers hope to minimize the damage done - both in terms of the criminal sanctions and to Vick's future in the NFL and life in general. This was a very strong case with plenty of evidence, which only increased once Vick's "friends" turned on him and turned state's evidence. It was only a matter of time before Vick would have to give in and realize the damage done by this whole sorry mess to his credibility and future.