Michael Vick's trial on state dogfighting charges was rescheduled on Tuesday for June 27. Surry County Circuit Judge W. Allan Sharrett set a trial date suggested by Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Poindexter and Vick's lawyers, who did not attend the hearing. The trial originally was set for April 2. Trials for two of Vick's co-defendants also were postponed.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback is serving a 23-month prison term in Leavenworth, Kan., after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy.

Poindexter cited the logistics of getting a federal prisoner into state court as the reason for the delays.

"These three people are all in federal custody in different parts of the country," Poindexter told Sharrett. "We've learned, and the sheriff has learned, that it takes 45 to 60 days lead time to get through the bureaucracy."

He added that transportation must be done at the state's expense.

Vick has been charged with two state felony counts - beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison.

He is seeking a jury trial.

Co-defendants Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace are serving federal sentences in Oklahoma and New Jersey, respectively. Their trials originally were set for March 5.

Phillips' non-jury trial was scheduled for June 13; Peace's trial by jury was reset for June 20.

A third co-defendant, Tony Taylor, is still scheduled for trial May 7, but Poindexter said that trial will be continued. No new date was set on Tuesday.

Taylor was released from federal prison Thursday after serving a two-month sentence.

Prosecutors said Taylor cooperated with the government in the case against Vick and two others for their roles in operating Bad Newz Kennels.

Written By LARRY O'DELL

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