Bonds indicted

Slimdust · 11-15-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The home run king wasn't home free after all.

Bonds, baseball's home run king, was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice Thursday and could go to prison instead of the Hall of Fame for telling a federal grand jury he did not knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs.

The indictment came just three months after the San Francisco Giants star broke Hank Aaron's career home run record, and it culminated a four-year investigation into steroid use by elite athletes.

But for all the speculation and accusations that clouded his pursuit of Aaron, Bonds was never identified by Major League Baseball as testing positive for steroids, and personal trainer Greg Anderson spent most of the last year in jail for refusing to testify against his longtime friend.

Then came the indictment -- four counts of perjury, one of obstruction of justice; a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison -- and Bonds' lawyers seemed caught off guard.

The 10-page report mainly consists of excerpts from Bonds' December 2003 testimony before a grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO. It cites 19 occasions in which Bonds allegedly lied under oath.

"I'm surprised," said one of his lawyers, John Burris, "but there's been an effort to get Barry for a long time. I'm curious what evidence they have now they didn't have before."

Burris said he didn't know of the indictment before being alerted by The Associated Press. He said he would call Bonds to notify him.

Anderson was ordered released from prison shortly after the indictment was handed up, but his attorney, Mark Geragos, said the trainer didn't cooperate with the grand jury.

"This indictment came out of left field," Geragos said. "Frankly, I'm aghast. It looks like the government misled me and Greg as well, saying this case couldn't go forward without him."

Bonds is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on Dec. 7.

In August, when the 43-year-old Bonds became the career home run leader, he flatly rejected any suggestion that the milestone was stained by steroids.

"This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period," Bonds said.

But while San Franciscans cheered his every swing and fans elsewhere scorned every homer, a grand jury quietly worked behind closed doors to put the finishing touches on its report.

"During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes," the indictment said.

Bonds is by far the highest-profile figure caught up in the steroids probe, which also ensnared track star Marion Jones. She pleaded guilty in October to lying to federal investigators about using steroids and faces up to six months in prison.

Bonds could not be reached for comment.

"It goes without saying that we look forward to rebutting these unsupported charges in court," defense attorney Mike Rains said. "We will no doubt have more specific comments in the very near future once we have had the opportunity to actually see this indictment that took so long to generate."

The Giants, the players' union and even the White House called it a sad day for baseball.

"This is a very sad day. For many years, Barry Bonds was an important member of our team and is one of the most talented baseball players of his era. These are serious charges. Now that the judicial process has begun, we look forward to this matter being resolved in a court of law," the Giants said.

Union head Donald Fehr said he was "saddened" to learn of the indictment, but cautioned that "every defendant, including Barry Bonds, is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until such time as he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

si.com

Blitzkrieg · 11-15-2007, 11:24 PM

lol.. the government never surprises me in how far they'll go to ensure they blow the state/nation's hard earned money.

Danny Diamond · 11-15-2007, 11:49 PM

He's INNOCENT DAMNIT !!!!!!

FREE O.J !!!! Oh wait. Sorry. Wrong thread.

Necro · 11-15-2007, 11:50 PM

That would be classic if he went to jail

Blitzkrieg · 11-15-2007, 11:51 PM

Btw, to my understanding Bonds said he never "knowingly" took steroids. How the fuck are they going to prove he "knowingly" took steroids?

Necro · 11-16-2007, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade

Btw, to my understanding Bonds said he never "knowingly" took steroids. How the fuck are they going to prove he "knowingly" took steroids?

Well if they have proof he was buying them, and knew what he was buying maybe? I would assume that would play a part in it

Dakstang · 11-16-2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade

Btw, to my understanding Bonds said he never "knowingly" took steroids. How the fuck are they going to prove he "knowingly" took steroids?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necro

Well if they have proof he was buying them, and knew what he was buying maybe? I would assume that would play a part in it

They may have some witnesses willing to testify that they saw him taking them.

Just a thought.

Blitzkrieg · 11-16-2007, 12:56 AM

but the witnesses would need credibility or Bonds' all-star team of lawyers that make OJ's team look like public defenders will punch holes in the arguments that would make the Grand Canyon proud.

Dakstang · 11-16-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade

but the witnesses would need credibility or Bonds' all-star team of lawyers that make OJ's team look like public defenders will punch holes in the arguments that would make the Grand Canyon proud.

This is the same thing they got Martha Stewart with.

I don't think they would have brought a Federal case against him unless they are fairly sure they have sufficient evidence to convict.

I would say this trial goes about the same as the Martha Stewart trial.

Blitzkrieg · 11-16-2007, 01:07 AM

I'm interested to see this supposed new evidence brought forth. Only then will I be able to entertain the thought of a conviction..

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Bonds indicted

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