<p>The federal charges involved bankrolling an illegal activity and interstate trafficking in the illegal activity - the dogs crossed state lines. Even though the underlying illegal activity was dogfighting, he was not convicted of animal abuse. The state charges are for animal cruelty. His lawyers can argue that, because the underlying charges are the same, he shouldn’'t be prosecuted by the state but the charges are not the same.</p>
<p>Cartera45, I agree with you that the underlying cause of the charge is the same. But this shouldn’t even be an issue due to the practice res judicata, preventing the courts from relitigating on issues with a final judgements. Double Jeopardy isn’t solely limited to concrete charges, you can’t try someone twice on charges that are substantially similiar. Cartera45, we are both are rational, and we can both see that the charges are substantially similiar.</p>
<p>I agree and his lawyers will argue that, but the crime and conspiracy to commit the crime are two separate things. Animal cruelty is a state offense - pure and simple. One problem for Vick is that his statements made in the federal case can be used against him in Va. His lawyers should have plea bargained away any Va charges before letting him address the federal charges.</p>
<p>Hmmm, in the end Vick is a moron. This is for the lawyers to decide.</p>
<p>
[The</a> Associated Press: Vick files for bankruptcy protection](<a href=“http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hDsEKkbHNcP7laksDZz0oHhhHOwAD91PMH080]The”>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hDsEKkbHNcP7laksDZz0oHhhHOwAD91PMH080)</p>
<p>Like most gamblers, it looks like Vick will lose all of his money.</p>
<p>The other gambler who lost was Bernie Marcus, whose Falcons are now predicted to be the worst team in professional football. A friend said they were predicted to have something like a 1-15 season this coming year (not sure how many games there are-- this is just from memory). We mused over which team might be in the unfortunate position of losing to the Falcons this year.</p>
<p>It’s hard to imagine how he could end up so much in debt considering that in January 2005 Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million contract. That doesn’t include his lucrative endorsements with companies like Nike.</p>
<p>Mathematically challenged. Like many large contract pro athletes (and some others), does not understand the difference between a lot, and infinite.</p>
<p>Well, time for yet another update. Apparently he gets out of the slammer tomorrow. They have been talking about him on a sports show, and mentioned that one of his many downfalls was that he trusted the wrong people (well, aside form torturing animals…). Anyway, apparently the best thing he had going for him was his relationship with coach Dan Reeves, but he (a) won’t return Reeves’ phonecalls and (b) wouldnt let him visit him in jail. The sportscasters theory-- he’s embarassed. My theory-- he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.</p>