RICHMOND, Va., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Upon leaving the Lewis Powell
 Courthouse in Richmond, Virginia today after the arraignment of Michael
 Vick, attorney Billy Martin on behalf of the defense team issued the
 following statement:
     "Today Michael Vick entered a plea of not guilty and asserted his
 innocence to the charges in the indictment.
     As we prepare for trial, we'd like to remind the public that these are
 only allegations, not facts. This case will be tried in the courts, not the
 media.
     We are conducting our own investigation into these allegations and look
 forward to clearing Michael's name and vindicating him of these charges.
     Mike has asked me to read this statement on his behalf:
     'Today in court, I pleaded innocent to the allegations made against me.
 I take these charges very seriously and look forward to clearing my name. I
 respectfully ask you all to hold your judgment until all the facts are
 shown. Above all, I'm sorry my mom has to go through this most trying time
 and the pain it has caused my family. I also want to apologize to my Falcon
 teammates for not being with them today at the beginning of training. There
 is nowhere I'd rather be today than in camp with my team.'"
     Michael Vick's legal defense team consists of Billy Martin of
 Washington, D.C.; Daniel Meachum of Atlanta, GA; Lawrence Woodward Jr. and
 Tom Shuttleworth of Virginia Beach, VA; and James D. Williams of Durham,
 NC.
 
 

SOURCE Michael Vick