Crocks and Bonds III: The United States v. Barry Bonds
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by Trizz
So today is finally the arraignment of Barry Bonds and for some they couldn't be more ecstatic. But this case isn't about the home run record or being black on a Friday morning, its about lying to the government and personally I don't see how they have a valid case here.
Basically, they have to prove not only that Bonds lied when he said he unknowingly used steroids but that he knew he was lying when he did. If he did or didn't I still believe this is a bit extreme, its not like Barry's lack of testimony hurt their case against BALCO, Jason Giambi and several others sung like birds. Barry's testimony would only had been icing on the cake and to indict a man for refusing the icing is just petty.
Its like when I was kid and my brother did something and my mother would ask me, sometimes I simply didn't know what he did, should I be punished for not knowing, no. Did I? Sometimes but that was completely unfair. Anyway, the only way I could be caught is unless a) my brother rats me out and say I knew about the whole thing or b) she overhears my brother thanking me for keeping my mouth shut.
Now with Barry the only way they could prove he knowingly took steroids and knowingly lied about it is either a) A BALCO representative, or Bond's trainer comes out and says I gave Barry steroids and he knew about it or even he asked for it or b) You hear Barry calling his trainer thanking for "the cream". Barry's trainer is in jail for not telling so I doubt he will now, BALCO would be incriminating themselves if they did and I doubt they heard anything from Barry.
The only way I see Barry getting charged is if they give BALCO 100% immunity for their testimony and they say Barry knowingly asked fro steroids, if that was the case that would be absurd to let BALCO go for turning in Barry. Its like a dealer turning in customers to save himself.
All and all, Barry took steroids whether it was technically legal or illegal he did it, thats what I believe. He may or may not have known he did initially but Barry could've figured it out when one head grew and the other shrunk. He could've played victim and said "Someone gave me steroids but I didn't know" but most of America would've said "Save it Barry" but he could've gotten away with it.
It will forever mark Barry as an asshole but "I didn't know" is just about as good as an excuse as you can get. I doubt the government can prove that he knew what he was doing at the time of his testimony, he could've found out he took steroids the second he walked out of the courtroom and technically he would still be innocent of perjury. Barry's fault is not coming forward and though he should have, its not a crime.
The only defense the government has in trial is to pull a "Seinfeld" and play upon his character. Get former teammates, Curt Schilling, Hank Aaron, members of the media and just show how big of a jerk Barry is and maybe they'll get lucky and find Barry guilty just because.
