Judge Rewards the First and Most Cooperative Witness in the Vick Case – Is that Fair?

December 14th, 2007

Judge Henry Hudson, sentenced Tony Taylor to 2 months in prison. Taylor was the first and most cooperative witness in the investigation against Michael Vick and the other codefendants that received sentences ranging from 18 – 23 months in prison.

This sentence seems to reflect the reward for being cooperative with investigators. It could be argued that Taylor had less to lose than Michael Vick and cooperating was an ‘easy’ option, but in my opinion, Michael Vick could have cooperated just as easily as Taylor. In fact if Vick had been more forthcoming with Virginia prosecutors and investigations, this entire case would have never made it to Federal Court in the first place and all the defendants would probably be looking at 2 months of prison at most if any at all.

Tony Taylor of Hampton helped establish Vick’s “Bad Newz Kennels” operation and joined in killing dogs but later became the government’s chief informant in the case, prosecutor Michael Gill said at Taylor’s 10-minute sentencing hearing.
“He was the most significant source of information in this case,” Gill told U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson. “He did not hesitate in any way.” Last of 3 Michael Vick co-defendants sentenced

What do you Think is this Fair for Taylor?
Is it Fair for Michael Vick?
Is it Fair for the other Defendants that also provided evidence?
Is it fair for justice?
Would the legal system make any progress at all if people did not cooperate with authorities in investigations? (Keep in mind that failure to cooperate can be Obstruction of Justice, a crime itself)

5 Responses to “Judge Rewards the First and Most Cooperative Witness in the Vick Case – Is that Fair?”

Hypocrites:

December 15, 2007 at 3:49 pm

I think it is unfair. I have always and continue to queston plea bargaining. Taylor was just as guilty as the others, but he was given only 2 months in prison because he plea bargained. He would have been given probation as McGill asked but the judge showed a little common sense. He emphasized that Taylor was just as guilty as Peach, Phillips and Vick. He also emphasized the disparity in the sentences would have been too great if he only gave Taylor probation as McGill requested. Thus he gave Taylor two months in prison. Situations such as that cause me to quesion plea bargaining. Some say plea bargaining is necessary. Plea bargaining also encourages one to lie if it will reduce his prison term. The first one to lie is the one who gets the least sentence regardless of his role in a particular activity. I quesion that. At least the judge showed a little common sense when he sentenced Taylor as he did.
doglover332:

December 15, 2007 at 3:56 pm

Let me ask a rhetorical question as I’m on the fence with this issue.

Taylor cooperated with the authorities.

In essence, Taylor stopped disobeying the law and started cooperating with authorities.

The other defendants did not stop disobeying the law and did not start cooperating as quickly. That lack of cooperation by the defendants seems to have been used in the sentence (had nothing to do with the guilt or innocence).

Vick was the last person to cooperate (and according to reports, never fully cooperated according to the terms of his plea agreement, which might indicate that he was in breach of his plea agreement).

So should a person that stopped acting like a criminal first, not be rewarded?

Should a person who acts to help the authorities so that the authorities can then successfully stop many more people from acting like criminals, not be rewarded?
doglover332:

December 16, 2007 at 4:30 pm

I’d like to add the comments of a regular reader that for some reason wants to remain anonymous. I do not necessarily agree nor disagree with these comments, but do feel that they are heart felt and written well. I do not intend to dominate this blog with my own comments and do very much welcome the comments and perspectives of all of the readers here.

Her Comments:

A Little Common Sense

Its finally over. Michael Vick has been sacked. AT the end of this saga when it was time to sentence, the judge did not give way to the hysteria, he showed a little rationality and common sense. when he told Taylor that he was just as much involved in dog fighting as the others. He said he could not abide by the disparity if he were to sentence Phillips, Peace and Vick to longer terms and then only sentence Taylor to probation. In cccord with his reasoning he sentenced Taylor to 2 months prison although the presecutor had recommended that Taylor only receive probation. . Once again he the judge was rational showed a litle common sense.

Being first to cooperate with the prosecutor does not necesarily mean that the individual is not guilty. It t merely means that he is being smart in an effort to lower his sentence at the expense of those who were involved in the same activity. Taylor merely sought to obtain a lesser sentence. Notice the prosecutor never said he did not participate in those activities. He merely said he cooperated. Taylor was just as involved in the activity as Vick, Phillips, and Peace. Taylor set the operation up but once again the prosecutor recommended that he receive probation. It appeared that he did not care whether he was guilty or innocent, the important thing was that he cooperated. American justice? He who cooperates d first receives the lessser sentence, etc. What foolishness. People will lie to get a favorable term. Taylor agreeed to cooperate. After Taylor agreed to cooperate, Phillips and Peace agreed to cooperate. They got smart. God only knows what Taylor told the prosecutor. When meeting with the other individuals the prosecutor then reminds them that one individual has cooperated and suggests that the others should also cooperate, if they wanted shorter sentences. The deal is to get them to go along with it. The big fish was Vick as the prosecutor readily admits. Who knows the truth. Only the three individuals know the truth. It was merely a matter of cooperaton. So much for our legal system. The prosecutor had recommended that Phillips and Peace be sentenced at the lower end. After learning that Taylor, Phillips and Peace had cooperated, Vick would have been a fool not to agree to cooperate. Once again the judge showed a little common sense when he sentenced Taylor to two months. Taylor believed he could walk away with only probation.

The emphasis in sentencing Vick was that he financed the operation. He was not personally involved in the day to day operation. He admitted under “pressure ” that he had been involved in the killing of some animals. Notice I emphasize pressure. The pressue can be very intense. Anyone who has been involved in the system knows that the pressure can be great. Vick was was a country man who was rather niave. . As for as I am concerned he had poor legal advice. When commenting on the situation, Vick emphasis he was not the person he was protrayed. All who knew him argreed that he was not the person protrayed. One good thing that will come out of this situation is that people will have an opportunity to get to “Vick the individual” rather than Vick the football player. The two are not the same. Those who want to know the truth will take advantage of the opportunity. Vick the football player was a me rely persona used to sell tickets. All who knew Vick knew that he was merely someone who enjoyed sitting and playing video games. He was someone involved in helping the community both in Atlanta and Virginia. He was not someone who blew his horn each time he did something. Rather he did things quietly. There ae many stories which can be told. One which touches my heart is the one told by a lady who was distressed because she could not purchase Christmas toys for her children. Vick slipped her money. At the time she did not know who he was and he did not broadcast it. She later learned later who he was Vick the football player. She later told the story who others. There are other stories out there which tell about the things he did for individuals. He did not go around broadcasting these things. Even Jesus emphasized “when you do something for someone don’t let yur right ha nd know what your left hand is doing. Some may ponder what would Vick’s message be after leaving prison . His message would merely be, I did it and you can do it also. What better message for people to hear. Another message would be footballl players, etc. are not Gods, idols, they are merely human beins who make mistakes. Vick is no angel. Neither you orI ar e angels. We are merely human being trying to make it.

Ray Lewis who went to prison and came back a changed individual has indicated that after the furor is over he will work with Vick. He will help him in his adjustment to prison life. Lewis emphasized that the important thing is what happens within the individual. I will end this by saying, now is a good time to get to know Vick the individual and not Vick the football player. Think about Vick the individual who was a devoted family member and father. Media, blogs protrayed him as someone who did not attend to his children. What more truths will come out. Leave the man alone, allow him to get along with his life. Maybe in losing the money the burden of being a star which can be a heavy weight was lifted. Now people can begin to see him as a fellow human being. . Those who believe in giving someone a secod chance will be praying for him.
doglover332:

December 16, 2007 at 4:36 pm

Now in response to that last comment, I would not agree that the Campaign is over yet. There are several important loose ends. I think as the last commenter would agree, justice is not necessarily achieved when a person goes to prison. This does not mean that a person should be punished in addition to prison.

All I mean by that is that there are many loose ends and unanswered questions and issues.

There is still an open murder investigation in relation to this case. A man was murdered and the press has only scratched the surface of this murder case which relates to Michael Vick’s dog fighting ring.
The NFL still stands to profit from Michael Vick when he gets out of prison.
The State of Virginia still needs to conclude its own legal proceedings.
There are a number of related court cases that are still outstanding from the NFL and Falcon’s suit against Vick to various Bank lawsuits against Vick.

A great deal has been achieved to move all of us towards justice in the last 5 months since we began this campaign. Back when we started it still appeared that Michael Vick would never see a prison sentence, would continue to play football and receive big endorsement checks from sponsors.
maria melton:

May 1, 2009 at 8:56 pm

I happen to be the sister of Roy Bud Thomas Melton,that happens to have gotten forgot about in
the mix of all this.I am totality lost when i see what people focuse on.When did football become more important than a human life?My life is a living HELL.The sad thing is that every body think’s Micheal Vick deserves a second chance,should be able to go back to the NFL and that he has paid his debt to society.My brother is dead…No body gives a dame about that,WHY????
Ill tell you WHY because he was the guy next door,
He did not play sports and every body thinks so what, he was fighting dogs and was not a law abiding citizen.Micheal Vick was doing the same damn things if not more and look at all the support he is getting.There is truly something wrong with society!!!!So i guess its ok for anyone that has a problem with another person is to just go kill them….RIGHT because thats what it sounds like society is ok with…Hmmm I bet you would not feel like that if it was your family.
Sincerly,Maria