Judge sets Vick's trial for April 2

From wire reports

November 28, 2007

A judge yesterday scheduled an April 2 trial date for jailed Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick on two state felony dogfighting charges.

During the five-minute hearing in Surry County Circuit Court, in Sussex, Va., Vick's lawyer, Lawrence Woodward, requested a jury trial.

The suspended NFL star did not attend the hearing. Vick is being held at a Warsaw, Va., jail after surrendering Nov. 19 to begin serving time for a federal dogfighting conspiracy conviction.

Vick could be given up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 10 in the federal case.

The two state charges - beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs, and engaging in or promoting dogfighting - also are punishable by up to five years in prison each.

The court also set trial dates of March 5 for co-defendants Quanis L. Phillips and Purnell A. Peace and May 7 for Tony Taylor.

In another development, Vick agreed to federal prosecutors' demand that he set aside about $928,000 for the care of pit bulls seized from the dogfighting operation.

• Dolphins // Ricky Williams' latest comeback lasted one game. The Miami running back will miss the rest of the season with a torn chest muscle, said his agent, Leigh Steinberg. Williams was hurt Monday night at Pittsburgh when he played in his first game in nearly two years. He returned after a 1 1/2 -year suspension for his latest violation of the NFL drug policy.

• Patriots // New England activated wide receiver Troy Brown from the physically unable to perform list, reviving the career of a versatile player from its three Super Bowl victories. Linebacker Rosevelt Colvin was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Colvin left the Patriots' 31-28 victory over the Eagles on Sunday night. It appeared trainers were working on his arm.

• Dolphins-Steelers // Monday night's Miami-Pittsburgh game was an exception to the tradition of starting sporting events with the national anthem. Rushing to begin the nationally televised matchup after a 25-minute weather delay, the NFL chose to skip the anthem. The game started without any of the traditional pre-game ceremonies, except the coin toss. "In retrospect, the decision to cancel the national anthem was one that we regret," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement.

• Chiefs // Some NFL players will donate part of their paychecks from the Dec. 23 games to help needy retired players. Kansas City lineman Kyle Turley said at a news conference to announce the plan at Mike Ditka's restaurant in Chicago that he will donate his entire $25,000 paycheck. Ditka has publicized the plight of former players with lingering physical problems.

• More Chiefs // Kansas City signed free-agent place-kicker John Carney to replace the inconsistent Dave Rayner. Carney, a 20-year NFL veteran, appeared in eight games this season with Jacksonville.

• Obituary // Bill Willis, a Hall of Fame guard with the Browns from 1946 to 1953 who also was Ohio State's first black football All-American, died last night, a university spokesman said. He was 86. Willis had been battling a short illness, said school spokesman Steve Snapp.

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Judge sets Vick's trial for April 2

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