Vick pleads innocent to dogfighting charges

~ The Falcons quarterback could face up to five years in prison.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Barred by the NFL from reporting to work with the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick declared his innocence on federal dogfighting charges Thursday and asked the public to hold its judgment "until all the facts are shown."

Lustily jeered by hundreds of protesters as he entered and left U.S. District Court, Vick strolled in stony silence and did his only talking inside the courtroom, where his career as a superstar quarterback and his freedom are jeopardized.

Inside, his most important words were a firm "not guilty" when asked how he pleaded to a charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and "by jury" when U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson asked his preference for a trial. Hudson set a Nov. 26 trial date for Vick and his three co-defendants, all of whom pleaded not guilty and asked for a jury trial. Hudson set aside two weeks.

"This is going to be a hard-fought trial," said Billy Martin, one of five lawyers retained by Vick. "We are conducting our own investigation, we will look into these allegations and we look forward to the opportunity to being able to walk inside this courtroom saying to the world that Michael Vick is innocent."

The 18-page indictment also lists a charge for sponsoring a dog in an animal fighting venture, but U.S. Attorney Michael Gill said the first charge supercedes it.

The four either face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 if convicted on the Travel Act violation, a felony, or one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines if convicted on the charge of using a dog in a fighting venture.

Martin read a statement outside court in which Vick asserted his innocence.

"I take these charges very seriously and look forward to clearing my good name," Vick said in the statement. Vick's mother, Brenda Boddie, stood by Martin's side as he spoke.

"I respectfully ask all of you to hold your judgment until all of the facts are shown."