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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| NFL star admits dog fight charges | NFL star admits dog fight charges |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| National Football League star Michael Vick has pleaded guilty to plotting to take part in dog fighting. | National Football League star Michael Vick has pleaded guilty to plotting to take part in dog fighting. |
| The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was accused of helping to run an interstate dog-fighting operation, known as "Bad Newz Kennels", from 2001 to April 2007. | The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was accused of helping to run an interstate dog-fighting operation, known as "Bad Newz Kennels", from 2001 to April 2007. |
| His lawyers accepted a plea agreement after his co-defendants agreed to co-operate with prosecutors. | His lawyers accepted a plea agreement after his co-defendants agreed to co-operate with prosecutors. |
| Vick, 27, who faces a maximum five years in jail, has now been suspended indefinitely without pay by the NFL. | |
| The quarterback, who could also be fined up to $250,000 (£125,000), is likely to face a reduced punishment because of his guilty plea. | |
| Prosecutors said the dogs sometimes fought to the death and underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground. | Prosecutors said the dogs sometimes fought to the death and underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground. |
| Dog-fight paraphernalia | Dog-fight paraphernalia |
| Vick, who is expected to formally enter his plea on Monday, reportedly admitted bankrolling the fights but denied gambling on them. | Vick, who is expected to formally enter his plea on Monday, reportedly admitted bankrolling the fights but denied gambling on them. |
| Two of Vick's co-accused, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, both pleaded guilty earlier this month. | Two of Vick's co-accused, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, both pleaded guilty earlier this month. |
| The Associated Press news agency quoted a summary of facts in the case as recording: "Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts of Peace, Phillips and Vick." | The Associated Press news agency quoted a summary of facts in the case as recording: "Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts of Peace, Phillips and Vick." |
| Police who searched Vick's property in April found pit bull dogs and dog-fighting paraphernalia. | Police who searched Vick's property in April found pit bull dogs and dog-fighting paraphernalia. |
| The football star, who signed a 10-year, $130mn (£65mn) contract with the Falcons in 2004, last season became the first quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 yards. | The football star, who signed a 10-year, $130mn (£65mn) contract with the Falcons in 2004, last season became the first quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 yards. |
| An NFL statement released on Friday read: "Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Falcons QB (quarterback) Michael Vick on Friday that he is suspended indefinitely without pay from the National Football League, effective immediately." |