Michael Vick pleads guilty on state charges
SUSSEX, Virginia (Reuters) - Former NFL star Michael Vick pleaded guilty to state dogfighting charges on Tuesday in a plea deal that nets him no additional jail time and resolves his remaining criminal charges.
The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, who is currently serving a 23-month prison sentence on federal dogfighting charges, was given a three-year suspended sentence from a Virginia state court.
He pleaded not guilty to a second count of animal cruelty, which was dropped in a plea deal. He was also given four years of probation.
The fallen sports star, wearing a gray suit, apologized to his family and "to all the kids out there who looked up to me as a role model." His agent and many members of his family sat in the front row of the courtroom.
Several animal-rights activists protested outside the court house.
Vick is currently serving time for conspiracy charges in connection with an interstate dogfighting enterprise on his property in rural Virginia.
He is scheduled to be released from the U.S. penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas in July, ahead of the NFL's 2009 season.
Vick's lawyers have said he hopes to play again professionally, though he still faces an indefinite ban from the league.
"If you ask Michael what he wants, he wants to come home," defense attorney Billy Martin said. "Any time in prison is hell."
Vick, 28, was the No. 1 pick in the 2001 NFL draft and a three-time All-Pro quarterback with the Falcons.
Vick has also filed for bankruptcy protection in July. He has lost an estimated $100 million in salary and endorsements.
(Reporting by Dave Forster, writing by Andy Sullivan; editing by David Wiessler)
