Police in Virginia announced that no one will be charged in the shooting incident outside Michael Vick’s birthday party in Virginia Beach on June 25th.

No witnesses will cooperate in the investigation, including the victim. It’s not that police don’t know the identity of the shooter, because they do. No one wants to be branded a snitch, so until authorities have a hammer to use to pry open someone’s mouth, this will remain a non-event.

But what about considering other charges against the shooter or the victim? The police have not announced the name of either man but courtesy of Michael Vick’s attorney, we know the injured man was Quanis Phillips, Vick’s dog-killing friend.

In their announcement, authorities used the qualifier, “at this time” to describe their decision not to charge someone with a crime.

Michael Vick threw a party and trouble was a guest

What would have to happen for someone to take the plunge and “cooperate” a/k/a snitch? One thing we know is that Phillips is on parole and forbidden to be in the presence of Vick or other ex-cons. To avoid a parole violation that would land him back in the slam he might be willing to give up information. After all, didn’t he do the deed when authorities were circling Vick for the dog fighting charge?

Here’s a tasty tidbit for you to ponder. According to local Virgina Beach scribe David Squires, there were still and video cameras on the scene that night. Trivial images of Hollywood celebs walking in and out of clubs are posted online each day. Have you seen pictures of the scene that night? How does that happen in this Internet age?

If there are photos of the incident, charges could arise from them. Can it be that authorities weren’t able to take possession of the cameras or the images prior to them disappearing? As with most things surrounding Michael Vick, the word “strange” comes to mind.

Plaxico Burress gives up, pleads guilty and goes to prison

Imagine how Plaxico Burress views this from a jail cell in New York. He never pointed a gun at anyone and pulled a trigger but he’s sitting in a jail cell in New York for the better part of two years.

We can safely assume Virginia Beach’s gun laws don’t come close to the New York statutes.

In the meantime, Vick’s NFL fate has yet to be determined. The NFL has not announced that it completed its review of the shooting and until then, while it seems unlikely, there is still a possibility of a suspension or other discipline.

Vick has his guidance counselor, Tony Dungy for help in his recovery

Used with permission of the author.

Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles. 

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