Judge weighing bid to close Marcus Vick trial

<p>A judge heard arguments Wednesday to close the trial of Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick and two other football players charged with misdemeanor counts involving sex and alcohol with underage girls.</p><p>Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Robert C. Viar Jr. did not immediately rule on the request.</p><p>Vick, the 19-year-old brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, is accused of serving alcohol to three underage girls and having sex with a 15-year-old girl. Tailback Mike Imoh and wide receiver Brenden Hill are charged with serving the girls alcohol.</p><p>Vick is free on $2,500 bond on four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Imoh and Hill each are charged with three misdemeanors for allegedly serving the girls alcohol. Both have posted the same bond.</p><p>The charges stem from a Jan. 27 party at the Blacksburg apartment the athletes share.</p><p>Lawyers representing media organizations, including The Associated Press, argued that the trial should remain open. Lawyers for the commonwealth and the defendants argued for closing the proceedings.</p><p>"There is an issue about whether the sexual conduct of the juveniles is involved," said Dennis Nagel, lawyer for Hill, the lone defendant to appear in court. "And we would ask that the court close the hearing."</p><p>Lawyers for media organizations argued against closing the trial on First Amendment grounds.</p><p>Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Brad Finch said the judge would likely issue an opinion later this week.</p><p>According to court documents, the girls, ages 14 and 15, told police they were given vodka and rum to drink and were photographed while they danced and stripped off their clothing. The girls also claimed that Vick took one of the girls into his bedroom and had sex with her.</p><p>Virginia Tech's rules governing the conduct of student athletes does not automatically suspend players from a team for misdemeanor charges. A conviction, however, would trigger a review by athletic director Jim Weaver.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/4/172005