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July 2007
Crowded scene outside courthouse
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Richmond, Va. — At 7:32 a.m. Thursday, protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were already lined up in front of the federal courthouse with their Michael Vick protest signs and solemn faces.
One sign, bearing a picture of a scarred pit bull, read, “Prosecute all Dog Fighters. Justice for all victims.”
The media line was starting to form for the 100 spots in Judge Henry E. Hudson’s courtroom for the Falcons quarterback’s hearing, which is expected to begin at 3:30 p.m. There will be an overflow room for 200 other media members.
Behind the courthouse, 27 media vehicles — including WSB, CNN, Fox News, WJLA (Washington, D.C.), ESPN and WDBJ (Roanoke, Va.) — lined the streets.
One local radio show, The Morning Sludge on Y101, had three cast members broadcasting live while dressed in dog suits.
“We are just going to be peaceably demonstrating about this issue sending a message to the federal government that people want to see this case prosecuted vigorously,” said Dan Shannon, PETA’s assistant director. “We don’t want to lose sight that Michael Vick is not the end of the problem.
“There are a lot of people who aren’t as famous that are involved in this sort of thing and they also need to see their day in court eventually.”
Also on hand here Thursday morning: John P. Goodwin, the deputy manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States.
Three loud Falcons fans, who drove down from Boston, arrived in front of the courts to counter the PETA protesters. One held a sign that read “PETA = Hypocrites.” Another held one that said, “Let Vick Play.”
“There are a lot of serious allegations, but he hasn’t been proven guilty yet,” said Michael Geary, 21. “He’s innocent until proven guilty, so why are they not letting him play? Let him play. Let him ride this out himself.
“He’s not a Pacman Jones. He’s not out shooting people.”
Geary said he’s been a Falcons fan “since they got Michael Vick.”
Permalink | Categories: Vick case
Court summons expected Wednesday afternoon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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| Brant Sanderlin/AJC |
| Members of the media gather at the federal courthouse in Richmond Wednesday morning. |
Shortly after opening this morning at 8:30 a.m., the clerk’s office for the U.S. Federal District Court in Richmond told the AJC that a summons in the Michael Vick dog fighting case could be issued this afternoon.
Reporters from the local Fox and CBS affilates were also on the courthouse steps along with ESPN and the AJC.
More on the Michael Vick case
The AJC's exclusive Vick coverage, plus multimedia and photos
multimedia
- Interactive Timeline: Vick's turbulent career
- Videos: PETA at Falcons HQ
- Moore: QB must go
- Vick charged • Fans react
- PDF: Read the indictment
photos
more on the vick probe
Nike issues statement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Michael Vick’s biggest endorsement deal is with Nike, who has stood by Vick during the dog-fighting investigation.
Following Vick’s indictment, the company issued the following statement: “We are aware of the indictment and are reviewing the information. We have no further comment at this time.”
Vick had an endorsement deal with AirTran, but the airline announced in May that it did not renew his contract once in expired on May 8.
Local DA unaware indictment was coming
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Surry County prosecutor Gerald Poindexter told the Associated Press Tuesday that he didn’t know of the indictment before it was filed, and said he’s not sure how the county will continue its separate case.
A grand jury is scheduled to meet on July 24.
Info on judge in dogfighting case
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Federal District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson
Born 1947 in Washington, D.C.
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Nominated by George W. Bush on January 23, 2002, to a new seat; confirmed by the Senate on Aug. 1, 2002, and received commission on Aug. 2, 2002.
Education:
American University, B.A., 1969
American University Law School, J.D., 1974
Professional Career:
Assistant commonwealth attorney, Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Arlington County, Virginia, 1974-1979
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia, 1978-1979 Private practice, 1979, 1991-1992, 1994-1998
Commonwealth attorney, Arlington County, Virginia, 1980-1986
U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1986-1991
Director, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Department of Justice, 1992-1993
Circuit court judge, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court (Fairfax County), Virginia, 1998-2002
Race: White
Hearing for Vick will be scheduled today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An initial hearing date for Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will be set this morning in Federal District Court in Richmond, Va.
The judge who will preside in the case is Federal District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson.
The prosecutor is Asst. U.S. Attorney Michael Gill.
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