A federal prosecutor in the Michael Vick case said the episode revealed a seamy side of society.
Chuck Rosenberg, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement: “This was an efficient, professional, and thorough investigation that well exposed a seamy side of our society.
“I trust Mr. Vick learned important lessons and that his admission of guilt will speed his rehabilitation.”
Vick, a suspended pro football star, was sentenced today in federal court to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.

About an hour after Michael Vick’s sentencing, lead defense attorney Billy Martin addressed reporters on the back steps of the federal courthouse in Richmond, describing his client as “very disappointed and saddened.”
Martin said he was confident that when Vick gets out of prison and gets a second chance, “He will take advantage of it. For now, he has closed this chapter of his life and is ready to start another one.”
Martin did not take any questions after his brief statement.
Vick, a suspended pro football star, was sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.

Michael Vick apologized in federal court today before being sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.
          Vick could have received up to five years.
Vick, in a black-and-white prison jumpsuit without shackles, spoke briefly during his sentencing hearing.
He apologized to the court and to his family. 
“I’ve used poor judgment and made bad decisions along the way,” Vick said.
Vick said he was accepting responsibility for his actions.
In addition to imposing the 23 months, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson ordered three years of probation after the prison term and fined Vick $5,000.
Hudson issued the sentence following a hearing of less than an hour in the federal courthouse in downtown Richmond.
Two codefendants, Purnell A. Peace, 36, of Virginia Beach, and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, were sentenced last month to 18 and 21 months, respectively.
Another co-defendant, Tony Taylor, 35, of Hampton, will be sentenced Friday.

A federal judge today sentenced suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson issued the sentenced following a hearing of less than an hour in the federal courthouse in downtown Richmond.
Two codefendants, Purnell A. Peace, 36, of Virginia Beach, and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, were sentenced last month to 18 and 21 months, respectively.
Another co-defendant, Tony Taylor, 35, of Hampton, will be sentenced Friday.

A few minutes ago, a charter bus pulled up outside the federal courthouse and let out about three dozen members of the Psalms Ministry of Hampton, which one member identified at Michael Vick’s church. ¶
They sang religious songs and held signs that said, “We love U Ookie.” That is a nickname for Vick. ¶
Some wore T-shirts that said on the back, “Michael love Christ. Christ loves Michael. How about you?” ¶
About two-dozen animal-rights protestors stood near the Vick supporters.¶

          Just minutes before Michael Vick’s sentencing hearing was scheduled to start, there were indications that public interest had waned.
About 100 or so people, mostly from news organizations, took seats in the courtroom. That was perhaps a third of the number that attended Vick’s plea hearing in August.
The poor spelling award went to person outside holding a poster saying, “No Pittie for Vick.“

The scene outside the federal courthouse just before Michael Vick’s sentencing hearing was colorful but lacking in energy, with photographers and other news people outnumbering a dozen or so animal-rights protestors.
Among those outside the courthouse was Charles Hughes, 69, of Richmond, who dressed in a black-and-white-striped prison costume, complete with a make-believe ball and chain.
“He’s changing one ball for another,” Hughes said of Vick, a suspended pro football star.
Vick, who already is in custody, was expected to be driven into a garage at the courthouse, depriving onlookers of a chance to see him.