AP
June 10, 2008
A Virginia prosecutor says the state trials of Michael Vick and three co-defendants on dogfighting charges will be delayed until they're freed from federal prison.
Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Poindexter says it's not worth the expense to get the men from prisons in different states for trial in Virginia and then to escort them back later.
Vick and the other defendants face state charges of beating or killing dogs, or causing dogs to fight other dogs, and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. The charges carry five years each.
The former Atlanta Falcon quarterback is serving a 23-month sentence after pleading guilty to federal charges in a dogfighting operation. He might not be free until early next year. The others received sentences of up to 21 months.
One defendant, Tony Taylor, has already been released. His state trial is scheduled for July 26.
The dogfighting operation, known as Bad Newz Kennels, operated since 2001 on Vick's 15-acre spread in Virginia.
