Monday 18 June 2012

Roger Clemens verdict: Not guilty on all six counts

After eight weeks, 46 witnesses, two dozing jurors and an estimated $2-$3 million spent in taxpayer money, the Roger Clemens trial has finally come to a close.

The verdict: Not guilty on  three counts of making false statements, not guilty on two counts of perjury and not guilty on one count of obstruction. The charges stemmed from testimony that Clemens made in February 2008, telling a Congressional committee that he had never taken steroids or HGH. Prosecutors also alleged that Clemens intentionally made false statements that misled investigators.

Clemens faced a maximum sentence of 30 years and a $1.5 million fine if he had been convicted on all six counts, but he instead made out better than Barry Bonds. The all-time career home runs leader was hit one one charge of obstruction — but sentenced to no jail time — in his own perjury case.

Both Clemens and Bonds will hit the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time this winter and it's likely that neither will walk away happy with the results. Cooperstown's voters carry a much lower burden of proof than the jury in a federal courtroom

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