Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Barry Bonds' Perjury Trial Begins

Home run king could get 5 years if convicted of lying to grand jury

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 21, 2011 3:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – Home-run king Barry Bonds goes on trial today in San Francisco on charges that he lied to a federal grand jury investigating doping in professional sports. The former San Francisco Giants star could get five years or more in federal prison if convicted of the charges, reports the Wall Street Journal. Prosecutors will have to prove Bonds intentionally took steroids to make their case since Bonds testified that he never knowingly took steroids or accepted human growth hormone from a personal trainer. Bonds has been accused of extensively using a steroid made by the Balco company that's known as "The Clear," because it couldn't be detected in blood tests.

The head of the lab pleaded guilty to distributing steroids, and Olympic gold medal track stars Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones admitting taking Balco steroids. The accusations against Bonds have raised doubts that his record 762 home runs were legitimately earned. His former girlfriend is expected to testify about radical changes the star slugger's body experienced, presumably after he started steroids, and professional athletes will likely testify about steroid use in sports. The case against Bonds could be tough because the man who could put the slugger behind bars—long time friend and trainer Greg Anderson—opted to accept a prison sentence rather than testify against his former employer.

Barry Bonds, center, leaves a federal courthouse in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Bonds pleaded not guilty to perjury charges; the plea was a legal technicality made necessary when prosecutors revised the charges for the third time since the initial indictment was unsealed in November 2007.
Barry Bonds, center, leaves a federal courthouse in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Bonds pleaded not guilty to perjury charges; the plea was a legal technicality made necessary when prosecutors...   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds leaves federal court in San Francisco early this month.
Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds leaves federal court in San Francisco early this month.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
47%
9%
15%
0%
0%
29%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 3 comments
hopeandchange
Mar 21, 2011 8:01 AM CDT
You know as bad as Pete Rose was and the awful punishment he got, his was child's play compared to this scandal. Why are they even considering letting those records stand and letting these bastards into the Hall of Fame?? what an utter and complete joke.
Redyot
Mar 21, 2011 6:30 AM CDT
Sure is interesting how much Barry has slimmed down. Must be on Weight Watchers or could it be that maybe he isn't on the juice anymore? Same diet that McGuire and Sosa went on after leaving the game. What a bunch of bums.

More Newser Stories

Bonds' Son: The Bigger Hat Was Mine

Ex-Mistress: Bonds Blamed 'Roids for Injury

Bonds Done Playing: Agent

Witness Says She Saw Bonds Being Injected

Feds: Fertility Drug Helped Bonds Mask Steroids


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment