Vick to plead guilty to Va. charges

SURRY, Va., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A judge ruled Thursday that former NFL star Michael Vick must be brought from a federal prison in Kansas to plead guilty to Virginia charges.

Judge Samuel Campbell denied a request by Vick's lawyers to allow him to enter his plea by video link, the Newport News Daily Press reported. Surry County Prosecutor Gerald Poindexter had suggested postponing the hearing until Vick completes his federal sentence.

Vick was quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons when he was charged with running a dog fighting operation at his home in Virginia. He pleaded guilty to federal charges and is serving a 23-month sentence at Leavenworth.

Under his plea agreement, Vick, who declared bankruptcy after losing millions in endorsement deals, would receive a suspended prison term and a fine, possibly suspended.

Campbell scheduled a hearing for Nov. 25.

Surry County must pay to transport Vick from Kansas to enter his plea.

The ruling was another setback for the former Virginia Tech standout.

Attorney Paul K. Campsen in Suffolk, Va., said in September that Vick might lose four homes in Virginia to bankruptcy and his home in Gwinnett County, Ga., has a $4.5 million for sale price.