By Jerry Markon and Mark Maske
Washington Post

Quarterback’s Attorneys Negotiate Potential Plea

Michael Vick’s attorneys are engaged in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors, who are pressuring the Atlanta Falcons quarterback to admit guilt in the dogfighting charges against him now that two more co-defendants have scheduled plea hearings for later this week, sources familiar with the case said yesterday.

Prosecutors asked Vick’s attorneys to give them an answer by Friday, said the sources, who declined to characterize the Friday request as a deadline. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

The government said at a recent court hearing that prosecutors are preparing a new indictment with additional charges in the case, and prosecutors are expected to seek that indictment by the end of the month if there is no plea deal with Vick.

As of yesterday afternoon, no plea deal was imminent, and Vick’s representatives declined to comment on the talks. “I don’t think we’re going to make any statements on that,” said Christopher Garrett, a spokesman for Vick’s Washington-based attorney, William R. Martin.

One source said last night that the plea agreement being discussed would involve a year or less of jail time for Vick and, if it’s accepted, would be designed by Vick’s legal team to ensure his release from jail while he’s still young enough to play football.

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