Vick gives plea of not guilty

RICHMOND -- Michael Vick pleaded not guilty yesterday to federal dogfighting charges and was released without bond until a Nov. 26 trial, while outside the downtown courthouse hundreds of curiosity-seekers voiced their displeasure or support for the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

Vick was mostly jeered as he went into court. He and three others entered their pleas in US District Court to conspiracy charges involving competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines. Federal prosecutors say the operation -- known as Bad Newz Kennels -- was run on Vick's property in Surry County (Va.).

"I take these charges very seriously and look forward to clearing my good name," Vick said in a statement read outside court by Billy Martin, his lawyer.

"I respectfully ask all of you to hold your judgment until all of the facts are shown. Above all, I would like to say to my mom I'm sorry for what she has had to go through in this most trying of times. It has caused pain to my family and I apologize to my family."

Among the conditions set for all the defendants is that they surrender their passports, that they not travel outside their immediate area without court approval, and that they do not sell or possess any dog. In addition, Vick was ordered to surrender any animal breeder or kennel license.

The codefendants made their pleas before US District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

"He asserted in a loud and clear voice that he is not guilty of these allegations," Martin said. "This is going to be a hard-fought trial."

The allegations detailed in a graphic, 18-page indictment sparked protests by animal rights groups at the headquarters of the NFL and the Falcons. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has barred Vick from training camp while the league investigates.

The indictment's gory details have incensed animal rights activists, who showed up in force at the courthouse. They toted signs with huge pictures of pit bulls mangled in fights, and a few of them wore dog costumes.

One hundred people were allowed in court for Vick's arraignment, and a courtroom holding 200 was set aside for the overflow.

Some began lining up before sunrise, switching off with friends to take bathroom breaks as they waited through the day.

By late afternoon, dozens of onlookers had swollen to hundreds, corralled across the street from the courthouse behind police barricades.

Around 4 p.m., a mixture of shouts of "We love you" and jeers rose as Vick emerged from the courthouse and quickly hopped into a truck.

In Flowery Branch, Ga., as the Vick-less Falcons trotted on to the field for the start of training camp, competing groups of protesters jawed at each other in front of the team's complex, arguing over the merits of the dogfighting case against Vick. Dozens of television trucks were parked alongside the road, and a small plane flew overhead pulling a sign: "New team name: Dog Killers."