The verdict is in. Michael Vick, charged with federal offenses related to his involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring, has been sentenced to 23 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson this morning.

Hudson cited Vick's original untruthfulness in dealing with investigators as having lengthened his sentence and, since Vick was the financier of the dog fighting operations, got more time than two defendants charged in the case: Assistant US Attorney Michael Gill had urged during proceedings that "The only thing that makes [fellow dog fighters] more dangerous is unlimited money."

Special-interest animal-rights groups were well involved in the media blitz surrounding former NFL superstar Vick and his involvement in the case. Some two dozen animal rights activists held something of a protest outside the Richmond, Va., courtroom. Humane Society of the United States official John Goodwin stated that "I hope that people who are involved in this bloodsport realize this is a deadend activity with meaningful consequences" upon hearing of the decision.

Vick, who still faces charges in Virginia for crimes related to the games, is automatically suspended from returning to professional football until 2010. It seems highly unlikely he'll ever play again. There's a lesson for the kids in here somewhere...