Show-your-Stripes
06-07-2007, 06:28 PM
Podunk county prosecutor out - Feds stepping in... charges going federal.
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/06/07/0608vick.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21
Federal authorities have taken control of the dogfighting investigation at a Virginia property owned by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and the state prosecutor said it is likely that Vick has been targeted for charges.
"Michael Vick, is he the target? Who else would be?," asked Commonwealth attorney Gerald Poindexter, who is no longer in charge of the prosecution unless that state also decides to continue pursuing the investigation. "I never imagined such interest.
...
Poindexter said federal charges could result in more severe punishment than the maximum five years in prison in the state of Virginia.
U.S. Department of Agriculture agent James P. Knorr, who has been involved with the investigation for weeks, contacted Poindexter around 3:15 p.m. Thursday and told him that federal agents and state police were at Vick's property. He notified Poindexter that officers were going to execute a search of the Surry County premises at 1915 Moonlight Road on the grounds of a "sealed" search warrant issued by federal authorities.
From aerial footage shot by Virginia television station WAVY, at least seven vehicles are on the premises. Officers could be seen walking on the grounds behind the house, were several buildings and sheds, that are painted black, stand.
Poindexter and sheriff Harold Brown refused to execute a warrant last week based on information from a police informant to search for up to 30 dog carcasses buried on the property.
I had always questioned putting the guy (Poindexter) responsible for returning more than 20 pitbulls to a convicted dog-fighter in charge of such a high-profile case. Reading the press-releases the guy was giving I figured the case was doomed to be dropped because the guy must have gotten his law degree from an on-line college.
Looks like something will actually come of it now. Maybe the feds will even get someone on the obstruction of justice for whomever (Vick et company) vandalized the property (still a sealed crime scene) this past week.
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/06/07/0608vick.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21
Federal authorities have taken control of the dogfighting investigation at a Virginia property owned by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and the state prosecutor said it is likely that Vick has been targeted for charges.
"Michael Vick, is he the target? Who else would be?," asked Commonwealth attorney Gerald Poindexter, who is no longer in charge of the prosecution unless that state also decides to continue pursuing the investigation. "I never imagined such interest.
...
Poindexter said federal charges could result in more severe punishment than the maximum five years in prison in the state of Virginia.
U.S. Department of Agriculture agent James P. Knorr, who has been involved with the investigation for weeks, contacted Poindexter around 3:15 p.m. Thursday and told him that federal agents and state police were at Vick's property. He notified Poindexter that officers were going to execute a search of the Surry County premises at 1915 Moonlight Road on the grounds of a "sealed" search warrant issued by federal authorities.
From aerial footage shot by Virginia television station WAVY, at least seven vehicles are on the premises. Officers could be seen walking on the grounds behind the house, were several buildings and sheds, that are painted black, stand.
Poindexter and sheriff Harold Brown refused to execute a warrant last week based on information from a police informant to search for up to 30 dog carcasses buried on the property.
I had always questioned putting the guy (Poindexter) responsible for returning more than 20 pitbulls to a convicted dog-fighter in charge of such a high-profile case. Reading the press-releases the guy was giving I figured the case was doomed to be dropped because the guy must have gotten his law degree from an on-line college.
Looks like something will actually come of it now. Maybe the feds will even get someone on the obstruction of justice for whomever (Vick et company) vandalized the property (still a sealed crime scene) this past week.