As a result of Barry Bonds' former trainer, Greg Anderson's refusal to testify against the slugger, his criminal trial will be delayed.
The Los Angeles Times reported on last Friday's activities in the federal court in San Francisco where the trial was set to begin on Monday.
Judge Susan Ilston listened to Anderson and his counsel tell her in person that he is not inclined to testify against Bonds.
Ilston informed Anderson that he would be jailed throughout the trial unless he shows up. Prosecutors understand how damaging his refusal can be.
The judge had previously ruled that without corroboration of Anderson, positive drug test results and doping calendars, allegedly kept by the trainer will be excluded from the prosecution's case.
Those items are considered crucial to convicting Bonds of perjury and obstruction of justice.
After that the prosecution told the judge they will appeal her ruling regarding exclusion of the material evidence. Ilston has now halted the commencement of the trial pending the outcome of the appeal. The trial could be delayed for months.
Anderson has already served more than a year in jail as a result of his refusal to honor federal grand jury subpoenas that were issued during the earlier phases of the Bonds investigation.
Anderson gets the nod for Friend of the Year, frankly of any year.
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Comments
Frankly I haven't really followed the Bonds debacle out of lack of interest. But after reading your article I have to give this Anderson character kudos, right or wrong for being a standup guy.
I respect Anderson for not jumping on the 'bury Bonds' wagon. As my articles have indicated, I feel Barry has been singled out in a huge way.
If this ends in an acquittal or charges being dropped Bonds might actually be a sympathetic figure.
Barry Bonds will never be a sympathetic figure. Pathetic is more like it.
In good news, none of the Black Sox were convicted yet they were banned from baseball for life. The precedent has been set.
P.S. I wonder how much Barry is giving this guy to serve time in his place.
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