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Vick Trial Date Set On State Dogfighting Charges

POSTED: 11:01 am EST November 27, 2007

(Sports Network) - Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is scheduled for an April 2 trial date on two state felony dogfighting charges.

Vick's lawyer, Lawrence Woodward, requested a jury trial during a brief session in Surry County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning. He did not issue a statement but had previously indicated he will fight the charges on the grounds that Vick can't be convicted twice of the same crime.

It was in August when Vick entered a guilty plea to one federal charge relating to a dogfighting conspiracy in the state of Virginia. Sentencing for that case is set for December 10, but Vick is already behind bars at a Warsaw, Virginia jail after surrendering November 19.

Vick faces up to five years in prison on the federal charge, while the two state charges -- beating, killing or causing dogs to fight one another, and engaging or promoting dogfighting -- are each punishable by up to five years in prison.

The court also set trial dates of March 5 for co-defendants Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace and a May 7 trial for Tony Taylor.

In the federal plea, the former Pro Bowl selection did not admit to killing any dogs personally or gambling on the fights. The summary of facts accompanying the plea agreement said Vick was aware four dogs were killed in 2002 and six to eight dogs were killed this past April as a result of the "collective efforts" of Vick and two of his co-defendants.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell imposed an indefinite suspension on Vick following the federal plea announcement.

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