Tribune News Services
Baseball great Roger Clemens has entered a not guilty plea to charges of lying to Congress about whether he used steroids or human growth hormone.
Clemens entered his plea Monday in U.S. District Court. The arraignment happened a few blocks away from where the retired pitcher swore under oath that he had not used performance-enhancing drugs.
Baseball great Roger Clemens has entered a not guilty plea to charges of lying to Congress about whether he used steroids or human growth hormone.
Clemens entered his plea Monday in U.S. District Court. The arraignment happened a few blocks away from where the retired pitcher swore under oath that he had not used performance-enhancing drugs.
Clemens was arraigned on three counts of making
false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of
Congress. Clemens won the Cy Young award -- given to the top pitcher in
the American League and National League -- a record seven times, and
helped the New York Yankees win two World Series titles.
If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine, though under U.S. sentencing guidelines, he would probably face no more than 15 to 21 months in prison.
All signs pointed toward him fighting. He came to Congress after being mentioned repeatedly in the Mitchell Report -- the damning breakdown of the sport's steroid problem released in 2007.
In front of a House committee the next year, Clemens said: "Let me be clear. I have never taken steroids or HGH." Before his indictment was handed down Aug. 19, Clemens was offered a plea deal that he turned down, and afterward, he showed no signs of backing down.
"I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial," Clemens wrote on Twitter after the indictment. "I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court."
His day in court figures to be one of many in the near future for some of baseball's biggest names -- now sullied by steroid-related accusations. All-time home run king Barry Bonds is scheduled to go on trial in March on charges of lying to a federal grand jury when he said he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.
At the hearing in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee, said the pitcher did, in fact, use steroids and HGH. Former teammate Andy Pettitte also told congressional investigators that Clemens told him he had used HGH.
Clemens told Congress that Pettitte "misremembers" the conversation.
If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine, though under U.S. sentencing guidelines, he would probably face no more than 15 to 21 months in prison.
All signs pointed toward him fighting. He came to Congress after being mentioned repeatedly in the Mitchell Report -- the damning breakdown of the sport's steroid problem released in 2007.
In front of a House committee the next year, Clemens said: "Let me be clear. I have never taken steroids or HGH." Before his indictment was handed down Aug. 19, Clemens was offered a plea deal that he turned down, and afterward, he showed no signs of backing down.
"I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial," Clemens wrote on Twitter after the indictment. "I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court."
His day in court figures to be one of many in the near future for some of baseball's biggest names -- now sullied by steroid-related accusations. All-time home run king Barry Bonds is scheduled to go on trial in March on charges of lying to a federal grand jury when he said he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.
At the hearing in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee, said the pitcher did, in fact, use steroids and HGH. Former teammate Andy Pettitte also told congressional investigators that Clemens told him he had used HGH.
Clemens told Congress that Pettitte "misremembers" the conversation.
Roger has too much pride to admit that he lied to congress. He was idolized by the fans for years, even though he had one of the worst personalities in baseball.
His pride and stubbornness are going to be his downfall if somebody doesn't talk some sense into him. It's time for him to man up to his mistakes and move on.
This just in. Clemens signed for pennant run... by Hendry.
Rothschild quoted as saying, "just throw strikes, kid."
Clemens is going to prison.
Roger that!
Where is that high priced blow-hard lawyer from Texas now? Everybody who thinks high-priced guys know their stuff because of their price tag are clearly wrong. Why would you ever let someone testify who wasn't subpoenaed? Even if they were subpoenaed why would you tell them its ok to talk (it's called taking the 5th)? Obviously he should have never showed and spoke if he was dirty. But he still should not have shown and spoke if he was clean. The feds care more about headlines than justice. How many of those bankers have been charged with lying for their shaninigans? Eespecially the ones who said they had "little or no exposure to subprime"? Guess actual justice for the people isn't as sexy (or likely to help you run for higher office) as picking on morons with over-priced Texas legal eagles. And to Clemens - any DUI courthouse lawyer could have told you to keep your mouth shut. For that matter, anyone sitting in the cooler at 26th and Cal would have given you the same advice, probably for an autograph. Here's some free advice - cut a deal, admit no wrongdoing, and pay a fine - if they let you. IF they won't do that go public and ask why bankers who steal millions get that deal over a guy who just wanted to win by any means and was afraid to own up to it? Make the feds look bad by owning up to your sins and forcing them to face theirs. But what do I know? I'm not a big belt buckle simpleton with my name on a law firm who charges 1000 dollars an hour...