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Are the Feds out of options on pursuing Babo?
By Ken Gimblin and Joe Cronin June 12, 2010 |
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SAN FRANCISCO--There is a little light at the end of the tunnel for the Feds in their pursuit of former Giant outfielder Barry Bonds as their case against Bonds was partially thrown out by a 2-1 ruling in the Ninth District U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday evidence which relied on Bonds personal trainer Greg Anderson's testimony. Anderson who has took it on the chin for the defense since the beginning of the BALCO/steroids scandal in 2003 when the grand jury investigation began and found that Bonds was using undetectable steroids that he testified to unknowingly using that being flax seed oil and the balm ointment which turned out to be the cream and the clear. Anderson's testimony is vital to the case because of his knowledge in administering the said undetectable steroids, record keeping calenders, urine and blood samples, testimony on a phone call between him and Bonds business manager at the time Steve Hoskins. Witnesses have testified to hearing Bonds admit steroid use former girlfriend Kimberly Bell and former Giant catcher Bobby Estalella who admitted steroid use himself have heard Bonds tell them that he used steroids. Regardless of other testimony the court wanted to hear from Anderson whose testimony is crucial regarding direct application of steroids to Bonds. Bonds who was indicted on 11 counts of perjury and obstruction of justice in 2008 regarding his December 2003 grand jury testimony will pretty much get to walk away from the charges and anything that involved Anderson. The Feds options may have been limited due to Anderson's refusal to testify which landed him one year's worth of contempt of court jail time, the last few options that the Feds have at getting Bonds is three steroid tests which were conducted in 2000 and 2001 which was thought to be the strongest evidence against Bonds for perjury, Bonds has testified that he knew about the results of the tests from Anderson. Also the feds say a positive steroid test from 2003 was taken from Major League Baseball and Anderson was not involved in the testing. Bonds has said that Anderson gave him too much flax seed and balm ointment which resulted in the positive test. The Feds are ready to use Hoskins, Bell and Estalella to testify against the baseball home run king. Bonds lawyer Dennis Riordan said that without Anderson's testimony the case doesn't stand up on it's own merit, "a concession that they could not proceed against Mr.Bonds in a jury trial without evidence that's now been excluded. We hope that this puts the entire prosecution to rest." Joe Cronin and Ken Gimblin write on Giants commentary each week for Sportstalk |
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