Your Black World: Judge Says Michael Vick Must Appear In Person

A judge reportedly denied a request by Michael Vick's lawyers to allow him to plead guilty to state dogfighting charges via videoconference from federal prison on Thursday.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Thursday that Surry County Circuit Judge Samuel E. Campbell denied the request during a hearing in Sussex County court. Vick's attorneys made the request so that the disgraced former Atlanta Falcons quarterback would not have to leave prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is serving a 23-month sentence for a federal dogfighting charge.

The state's attorney objected to the defense's request, and Campbell agreed, as there is no allowance in Virginia law for someone to plead via videoconference, according to the paper.

Vick is facing two state felony charges -- dogfighting and animal cruelty -- in Richmond. The judge set November 25 as the date for Vick to enter his pleas.

The state and federal charges against Vick are related to a dogfighting ring he funded at a property he owned in Surry. He is slated to be released from federal prison and into a halfway house on July 20.

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