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The Sports Network notes that a jury of 10 men and two women has been selected for the trial of Roger Clemens for perjury. Lawyers will give opening statements on Wednesday.
One juror, strangely, is Al Bumbry's cousin. Bumbry played from 1972 to 1985, mostly for the Baltimore Orioles. He then coached for the Red Sox from 1988 to 1993, when Clemens pitched for them. (Bumbry grew up in Fredericksburg, less than an hour south of Washington DC, where the trial is being held.)
More tidbits!
Included in the list of jurors are reportedly a mid-50's female yoga teacher, who worked at a U.S. attorney's office in Portland, Oregon; a female retired public schools counselor; a female who is a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Michael Vick and said the quarterback was "done wrong" by his conviction for being involved in a dogfighting ring.
The perjury charges against Clemens revolve around his 2008 testimony to a committee of the House of Representatives that he didn't take steroids while he was a player. It appears likely that Clemens' attorneys will argue that the House committee had no legitimate business with Clemens, since his testimony had nothing to do with any legislation the House was considering. Therefore, Clemens' attorneys might argue, Clemens did not obstruct the House, since it was sticking its nose where it didn't belong.
Rogers Clemens defense case appears to have received a bit of a reprieve on Tuesday when the federal judge presiding over the perjury trial said he's unlikely to allow Clemens' former teammates to testify. Former New York Yankees Andy Pettitte, Chuck Knoblauch and Mike Stanton were all scheduled to give testimony that was supposed to bolster the credibility of Brian McNamee, the former trainer who is the prosecution's main witness. All three players were scheduled to testify that they had been given injections of performance-enhancing drugs by McNamee.
It wasn't necessarily all good news for Clemens from U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton, though. He also said he's unlikely to allow the defense to tell jurors about rape charges that had previously been brought against McNamee. That information was designed to damage McNamee's credibility.
Walton also said the trial may not start on Wednesday as is currently scheduled. Apparently, there have been some delays in obtaining the audio of Clemens' 2008 Congressional deposition from House investigators.
It was also revealed that part of Clemens' defense will be built around the contention that McNamee had planned to blackmail the star pitcher with manufactured evidence in 2001. The defense stated their plans to say that McNamee took syringes and gauze pads with Clemens' DNA and tainted it with PEDs in an attempt to force Clemens to give him a job.
Roger Clemens had his arraignment in Washington, DC, on Monday, and as was expected, the former MLB pitcher pleaded not guilty.
Clemens faces six felony charges, including perjury, obstruction of Congress and making false statements after his testimony in front of a House of Representatives committee in 2008 regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs. He promptly denied the accusations, saying, "I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial."
According to the New York Times' Juliet Macur Clemens was released on the condition he "check in with the court every two weeks."
The trial is set to begin April 5.
For now, it's off to the golf course.
Roger Clemens, who has his arraignment Monday afternoon at 2 P.M. EDT in Washington, DC, is expected to plead not guilty to six felony counts, including perjury, according to the New York Daily News. The charges stem from his testimony to Congress in 2008 regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs.
Clemens was indicted a week-and-a-half ago, and promptly denied the claims, saying, "I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial." And that confidence remained -- according to the NYDN, Clemens has told friends "that he's happy this day has finally arrived."
Following his plea, Clemens and his wife, Debbie, will reportedly board a private jet and make their way to Myrtle Beach, SC, to participate in the first round of the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship.
While Clemens is at least acting confident and seemingly isn't worried about the perjury charges, there is cause for concern, for both him and baseball.
Should Clemens carry his not guilty stance forward and demand a trial, the government would almost certainly summon injured Yankee starter Andy Pettitte to testify against his former friend, and Clemens' attorneys would need to attack him.
Other witnesses could include a range of steroid dealers, Yankee players past and present, and any number of people whom the FBI might have identified as knowledgeable about what went on in major league clubhouses and gyms at the peak of the Steroid Era. Subpoenas will fly like well-aimed fastballs, and will land at the doors of teammates, trainers, doctors, GMs, gym rats, girlfriends, drug dealers, and maybe even Clemens' wife. Any or all of these figures could be asked to testify, and each will face tough questioning, under oath, at the hands of the government and Clemens' well-paid legal team.
Roger Clemens, being indicted for perjury -- charges he denies, of course -- will be arraigned Monday at 2 P.M. EDT in Washington, DC.
It will be The Rocket's first appearance in court for the criminal charges that he lied to Congress when testifying about the use of PEDs. Clemens is facing six counts and is expected to plead not-guilty.
According to the Washington Post, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton, who is presiding, hopes the case will go to trial by the spring.
Did you know that Roger Clemens was on Twitter? I didn't, either. At least, not until just a few minutes ago, when he released the following brief statement:
I never took HGH or Steroids. And I did not lie to Congress. I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial. I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court.
Rocket
As one would expect, Clemens is holding his ground. Look for this story's intensity to SKYROCKET.
Back in February of 2008, Roger Clemens swore under oath before a Congressional committee that he did not take performance-enhancing drugs, and had not discussed them with former teammates and trainers. Skeptical, Congress asked the Department of Justice to take a closer look at Clemens' claims, and here's your punchline:
Federal authorities have decided to indict Roger Clemens on charges of making false statements to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, according to two people briefed on the matter.
Boom. An indictment, of course, is not the same thing as a conviction, but it's the first step on the way, and Roger Clemens can now look forward to the distinct probability of a trial at a later date. Turns out the contradictions between his testimony and that of former trainer Brian McNamee - which linked him to PED use - were too blatant to ignore.
NBC's Craig Calcaterra has more on the indictment. He writes:
Many of Clemens' statements are exceedingly difficult to square with known facts and common sense. At the same time, many of the witnesses against Clemens already face credibility issues, Brian McNamee chief among them. Even if you believe, as I am inclined to, that Clemens was not truthful during his Congressional testimony, convicting him of perjury will be no easy feat.
Oh, the public is going to love this.
Roger Clemens Trial Opens With PED Discussion
The Rogers Clemens trial didn't shy away from discussing performance enhancing drugs on the first day of the proceedings. Both the defense and prosecution have PEDs run to the core of their arguments. The prosecution wants to paint Clemens as a PED user and a liar under oath while in front of a Congressional hearing panel. The defense, though, is trying to discredit those arguments by attacking the credibility of Brian McNamee, Clemens' former personal trainer. They will argue that McNamee lied in the past and is still lying.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the prosecution's case will depend on the contents of an old beer can:
But the defense appears to take issue with the conduct of the forensic analysis and believes they will show that the prosecution's argument is flawed.
This could turn into a hotly contested trial if the first day is any indication.
Jul 14 8:00a by Russ Oates - 0 comments