News With Commentary by TSL Staff

Friday, May 14, 2004
by Will Stewart, TechSideline.com

Vick, Hill, Imoh Convicted

On Friday, Marcus Vick, Mike Imoh, and Brenden Hill were all convicted of three counts of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Each player was sentenced to jail time and fines, with Vick's punishment being the most severe, followed by Hill, then Imoh.

Judge Robert C. Viar acquitted Vick of the charge of having sex with a 15-year-old girl, but all three players were convicted of providing alcohol to three teenage girls during a gathering on the night of January 27th, 2004. Vick was sentenced to 120 days in jail, 90 suspended, with a $2,250 fine; Hill was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 70 suspended, and a $1,500 fine; Imoh received the lightest sentence, 60 days in jail with 50 suspended, and a $750 fine. The players will report to jail May 28th.

At the time of the offense, the three girls were ages 14, 15, and 15. During testimony, it was revealed that the girls met the players at the Virginia Tech-Connecticut women's basketball game the night of Tuesday, January 27th. Vick traded phone numbers with the girls, who went to a slumber party, sneaked out a window, and called Vick to come pick them up. Vick and Hill gave the girls a ride from the slumber party to the apartment Vick shares with Hill, and Imoh, who lives in a different apartment the same building, was invited over.

According to the testimony of the 14-year-old, who is now 15, the players gave the girls shots of vodka and asked them to strip and kiss. All three girls undressed and gave the players lap dances. She said that later one of the 15-year-olds then had sex with Imoh and Hill, while the other 15-year-old went back in the bedroom and had sex with Vick.

The assertion that one of the 15-year-olds had sex with Imoh and Hill is relatively new. Prosecutor Joey Showalter said he learned only recently of the allegations that Imoh and Hill had sex with one of the girls -- the charge of Vick having sex with one of the 15-year-olds has been known for months -- and he does not know if additional charges will be pursued.

The girls testified that they told the players they were 18 years old.

One piece of evidence produced during the trial was an 18-second video clip, taken from a digital camera used to shoot pictures of the girls. The clip showed the girls partially clad, giggling and kissing, and apparently not being coerced into their actions.

Vick's attorney, Marc Long, said he will appeal on Monday.

It is not known if and when Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver will take disciplinary action against the players. Under the provision of Tech's Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) governing athletic conduct, a conviction of a misdemeanor crime puts the athletes' status and possible punishment in the hands of Weaver. He may take immediate action or may await the outcome of the appeal process before deciding what to do.



          

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