The Associated Press reports that Barry Bonds today filed a motion to dismiss the federal perjury charges of which he stands accused. Bonds argues that the indictment against him is “scattershot” and in many respects so lacking in specificity that it is not clear what false statements he is alleged to have made. From what I have read, the case against Bonds is fairly simple – he testified falsely to a grand jury that he never used performance enhancing drugs. I have read the indictment, and, while not a model of clear prose, I think that it fairly states the charge. So I’ll go out on a limb and predict that the court will deny Bonds’ motion. Now, if he’d moved to dismiss on the grounds that the case against him is stupid, and a colossal waste of money, he’d have a better chance. At least he would if I was the judge. Maybe if Miguel Tejada is indicted for lying to Congress he’ll make that argument, since any charges against Miggy for lying to Congress would be equally silly (oh, wait – evidently Tejada’s alleged lies impeded Congress’ ability to determine whether Rafael Palmeiro lied about using steroids. Iguess THAT’S important enough to warrant the expenditure of DOJ resources).
I am a baseball fan. Have been my whole life. I am interested – and concerned – about the use of performance enhancing drugs by players. I am wholly unconvinced, however, that the matter justifies employing federal investigatory and prosecutorial resources. I suppose one consolation might be that while the feds pursue these stupid cases, they will not have the resources to pursue other silly cases. Like the prosecution of the D.C. Madam, for instance.
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Bonds Seeks Dismissal of Perjury Charges // January 23, 2008 at 10:45 pm |
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los angeles bail bonds // September 12, 2008 at 12:46 pm |
For most of his 22-year major league career, Barry Bonds was the driving force in his club. Thrust into an unfamiliar arena Friday, baseball’s all-time home run leader let his team carry him.
A relaxed and subdued Bonds pleaded not guilty to four counts of perjury and one of obstructing justice at his arraignment in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Bonds, who gave brief answers while his six-person legal team directed his part of the proceedings, was released on a $500,000 personal recognizance bond.
The charges stem from Bonds’ testimony to a federal grand jury in the BALCO case in December 2003, when he denied ever knowingly using performance-enhancing substances. If convicted, Bonds could spend more than two years in prison.
The parties are due back in court for a status hearing Feb. 7, but Bonds won’t be required to appear. The prosecutors’ request that Bonds be restricted from traveling outside the U.S. was denied after his defense argued such a limitation would hinder his ability to earn a living as a baseball player. The 43-year-old Bonds, a free agent after playing for the San Francisco Giants the last 15 seasons, has said he intends to play in 2008.