The Conservative Cave
Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: Ralph Wiggum on July 14, 2011, 11:00:08 AM
-
(http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/roger-clemens-si.jpg)
The judge presiding over Roger Clemens' perjury trial declared a mistrial over evidence revealed to the jury that he believed would prejudice the jury against the former baseball star.
U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton scolded prosecutors for twice violating his orders not to reveal certain evidence to the jury and said it could put the whole case at risk. He took a recess Thursday morning to consider how to rule on a motion for a mistrial from Clemens' attorney Rusty Hardin.
Prosecutors suggested the problem could be fixed with an instruction to the jury to disregard the evidence, but Walton seemed skeptical. He said he could never know what impact the evidence would have during the jury's deliberations "when we've got a man's liberty at interest." "I don't see how I un-ring the bell," he said.
Walton interrupted the prosecution's playing of a video from Clemens' 2008 testimony before Congress and had the jury removed from the courtroom. Clemens is accused of lying during that testimony when he said he never used performance-enhancing drugs during his 24-season career in the major leagues.
One of the chief pieces of evidence against Clemens is testimony from his former teammate and close friend, Andy Pettitte, who says Clemens told him in 1999 or 2000 that he used human growth hormone. Clemens has said that Pettitte misheard him. Pettitte also also says he told his wife, Laura, about the conversation the same day it happened. Prosecutors had wanted to call Laura Pettitte as a witness to back up her husband's account, but Walton had said he wasn't inclined to have her testify since she didn't speak directly to Clemens.
LINK (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6768625/roger-clemens-trial-judge-declares-mistrial)
-
As much as I dislike Clemens, I don't think he should go to jail for lying to Congress. Many in Congress lie profusely and Presidents do it all the time.
-
They should start jailing prosecutors over failure to follow instructions. Most are Democrats and all are overzealous. The couldn't care a rat's ass about the truth, only building their personal resumes. To Hell with all of them.
-
I actually like Clemens. I sat behind home plate once when he was pitching for the Astros and it was the most impressive thing I've seen. I have no idea how anyone could hit him. His fastball was off the charts and his curve buckled knees.
In cases like this I have never understood two things. First, why is our congress wasting time with it? Second, why would anyone agree to go in front of them? All Clemens or Bonds or anyone else had to do was say no.
-
1--they're looking foolish if they DON'T get a conviction against Clemens.
2--they're looking even MORE foolish for pissing on the rule of law and rules of evidence to do it.
3--surest way to get a case tossed is to piss off the judge.
-
As much as I dislike Clemens, I don't think he should go to jail for lying to Congress. Many in Congress lie profusely and Presidents do it all the time.
He should just pay the fine and serve no jail time. Clemens should of either said he did or stay silent.
-
Why is the government wasting time and money on this case when there are millions of illegal aliens living in the US and the government doesn't do squat about them? Let MLB police their players and steroid usage not the government.
-
Why is the government wasting time and money on this case when there are millions of illegal aliens living in the US and the government doesn't do squat about them? Let MLB police their players and steroid usage not the government.
Bingo. I thought it was stupid when Congress was having hearings over this crap.