Clemens Faces Former BFFs in Perjury Trial

Andy Pettitte, Brian McNamee are star prosecution witnesses
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 6, 2011 8:27 AM CDT
Clemens Faces Former BFFs in Perjury Trial
New York Yankees pitchers Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettitte, right, watch the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Sept. 26, 2007.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Roger Clemens' perjury trial begins today in Washington, and it is loaded with juicy storylines—no pun intended—thanks to star witnesses Andy Pettitte and Brian McNamee. Clemens and Pettitte were as close as brothers, but of all the ex-ballplayers testifying, only Pettitte is expected to say Clemens admitted using performance-enhancing drugs, the New York Times reports. “I can’t imagine what he’s going through, knowing he will have to sit there and testify with his best friend at the defense table,” Jason Giambi says.

Clemens’ lawyers, meanwhile, are chomping at the bit to attack McNamee, who isn’t exactly a sympathetic witness. They want, for starters, to bring up a rape investigation surrounding him in Tampa. McNamee was never charged with anything, but admitted lying to investigators. Prosecutors argue that isn’t relevant and would “inflame the jury.” McNamee has made other false statements in the past as well, and during his time as a police officer was once suspended for letting a prisoner escape, ESPN reports. (More Andy Pettitte stories.)

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