Barry Bonds Appeals Conviction in Steroids Case
By Millard Baker ~ source

It seemed like one of the most high profile steroid scandals of the last decade had finally come to an end in 2011. Barry Bonds was found guilty of obstruction of justice and sentenced to two years probation, 30 days home confinement, 250 hours of community service and a $4,000 fine. The sentencing marked the end of the $75 million dollor government witch-hunt involving Barry Bonds – or so it seemed. But now it may take another 18 months before we see the conclusion.

Six days after Bonds’ sentencing hearing, Bonds’ appellate attorney Dennis Riordan officially filed an appeal seeking to overturn the felony obstruction conviction. Riordan estimated it could take up t 18 months before a three-judge panel with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decides the outcome of the appeal.

The Major League Baseball career home run record holder has made it clear that he is not going to take even a “slap on the wrist” as punishment for a questionable conviction.

After all, the government embarrassingly failed to prove that Bonds lied about his use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (hGH). The jury wasn’t convinced and a mistrial was declared in all three of the perjury charges against Bonds.

The government was lucky even to obtain the conviction on obstruction of justice charges.

Barry Bonds was convicted of obstruction for providing an “evasive and misleading” answer to a question by federal investigators concerning his use of anabolic steroids. It took him several minutes to answer the question. He ultimately provided a very direct answer. But his rambling response was enough for the jury to convict him.

Legal experts have questioned how a jury could convict someone of obstruction when the defendant provide direct and truthful answers and investigators have the option of probing evasive and nonresponsive answers.

Bonds wants the conviction overturned. The government may not recover the small fine of $4,000 in their insanely expensive $75,000,000 pursuit of Bonds if the appeal is successful.

At least they government has something to show for their herculean efforts to make an example of a sports hero suspected of using steroids if the appeals court affirms the conviction.

Meanwhile Bonds doesn’t have to pay the government a dime of the $4,000 fine assessed during sentencing nor does he have to remain at his multi-million dollar Los Angeles mansion according to the terms of his 30 day house arrest. However, Bonds just might hang out at his mansion anyway.

Source:
Associated Press. (December 22, 2011). Barry Bonds formally files appeal of obstruction of justice conviction. Retrieved from Barry Bonds formally files appeal of obstruction of justice conviction - The Washington Post