Gerald Poindexter brought indictments against Michael Vick and his co-defendants to a Grand Jury this week and the Grand Jury agreed to indict vick on two counts:

• Beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs
• Engaging or promoting dog fighting

Each count is a felony in Virginia and punishable by up to 5 years in prison.  Plus Poindexter is asking for $50k to bond each of the co-defendants, including Michael Vick.  The bonds could be set next week on October 3rd.

Is this Double Jeopardy or a New Down for Vick?

Vick’s attorneys will argue that they can not be tried for the same crimes in both Federal and State courts.

Vick defense attorney Billy Martin indicated in a statement he would fight the state charges on the grounds that his client couldn’t twice be convicted of the same crime. – Vick is indicted in Virginia

But the County prosecutor will argue that he is charging Vick and his co-defendants with different crimes.

However, legal experts said the state would argue that its case hinged on the actual dogfighting, whereas the federal case was for conspiracy. – Vick is indicted in Virginia

There is no federal crime for the counts above, and the feds therefore prosecuted under conspiracy charges.

Opening the Door for North Carolina Charges against Michael Vick?

These charges if allowed by the courts, might also open the doors for North Carolina prosecutors investigating dog fighting connections and a potentially related murder charge which seems more likely to happen as more information in the murder investigation in Catawba County, NC keeps coming out..