Vick hearing timeline
5:30 a.m. – Alex Dynan and Matt Doyon, hosts of “The Aftermath” on WVCW Radio, arrive at Richmond Federal Courthouse. Representatives from The Richmond TimesDispatch and ESPN have been here since 5 a.m.
5:45 a.m. – Police begin blocking off roads that surround courthouse. Only remaining street open to traffic is Main Street.
7:40 a.m. – First protestors appear representing People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Members hold signs stating, “Prosecute all dogfighters, Justice for all victims.” PETA’s representatives were instructed not to talk to media.
8:25 a.m. – The line of media members and general patrons waiting to get in the courtroom is now 115 people long. The actual hearing is still two hours away. The line would grow to 150 before the hearing began.
9:07 a.m. – First set of Michael Vick supporters arrives. A child holds a sign that says, “Everyone makes mistakes.”
9:55 a.m. – Two buses from Newport News arrive carrying Vick supporters from local churches. Newport News is Vick’s hometown. Many of the church members start to sing gospel songs, such as “Salvation in Jesus” and “This Little Light of Mine.”
10 a.m. – Media members and general public that were waiting in line are let into the courtroom. Those who could not fit into courtroom were led into an overflow room with a closed-circuit television so they could see the hearing.
10:20 a.m. – Vick arrives at courthouse. The reaction is pro-Vick. Cheers and chants for Vick drown out boos by PETA members. The crowd outside the courthouse is 300 people strong.
10:30 a.m. – Vick enters plea to U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Hudson accepts the terms and sets sentencing date for Dec. 10.
10:50 a.m. – Vick’s lawyer, Billy Martin, emerges from courthouse and announces a surprise Vick statement at the Omni Hotel. Media members and protestors run to hotel.
11:30 a.m. – Vick walks into press conference and makes his first statement concerning his indictment. He apologizes profusely to children and says, “What I did was very immature. That means I need to grow up.”
11:40 a.m. – Vick concludes his statement by saying, “ I will redeem myself. I have to.”