Posted at 3:31 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2007
NFL: Vick's co-defendants set hearings to enter pleas
By Dena Potter
Associated Press
Purnell Peace is set to appear in federal court in Richmond on Thursday and Quanis Phillips on Friday.
Last month, another original co-defendant, Tony Taylor, pleaded guilty to his role in a dogfighting conspiracy he says was financed almost entirely by the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
Taylor agreed to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick, Peace and Phillips, who are accused of running an interstate dogfighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" on Vick's property in rural Surry County.
Attorneys for Peace and Phillips did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.
Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick's defense team, said the lawyers were surprised by the plea deals.
"They didn't see it coming," Spencer said.
But he said it wouldn't affect the way he proceeds with the case.
Vick has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
Vick, 27, attended several dogfights in Virginia and other states with his partners, according to the statement. Prosecutors claim the fights offered purses as high as $26,000.
