Friday, December 7, 2007

From Patty Hearst to the Jonestown Massacre, the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco has hosted its share of high-profile trials over the years. But they may all pale in comparison to the spectacle of the Barry Bonds perjury case.

More than 200 journalists and members of the public are expected to crowd the courtroom and a second overflow room today for a brief hearing that will mark the home run king's first public appearance since he was indicted Nov. 15 on four counts of perjury and one of obstruction of justice. The charges could mean prison time if Bonds is convicted.

In an attempt to corral the horde, the court has taken the rare step of bringing the judges to Bonds rather than requiring him to appear in two courtrooms, as is often the case with routine initial appearances by criminal defendants. Bonds also will be fingerprinted and have his mug shot taken. Even so, the whole affair is expected to last less than an hour.

"It's going to be a very quick hearing," Golden Gate University law professor Peter Keane said. "He'll have the charges read to him and likely enter a plea."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James will serve as the warmup act. After taking Bonds's plea -- expected to be not guilty -- she will leave the bench and turn the case over to U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, who will set future court dates. Bonds is expected to remain free without having to post any bail money.

Bonds is accused of repeatedly lying when he testified under oath that he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs. Several of Bonds's former associates are expected to contradict that testimony, and prosecutors claim to have a blood test from November 2000 that shows a "Barry B" testing positive for two types of steroids.

Bonds's defense team is expected to attack the credibility of the witnesses, who include Bonds's former mistress and a onetime business partner who had a bitter split with the slugger over memorabilia sales. Legal experts say the drug test, seized during a raid of the Balco steroids lab, also will be subject to fierce scrutiny by Bonds's lawyers.

Late last night, the San Jose Mercury News reported that Bonds has added attorneys Cristina Arguedas and Allen Ruby to his legal team. Unlike his current attorney, Michael Rains, the two new attorneys have extensive federal experience. Neither could be reached for comment.

Several top attorneys pulled out after Bonds demanded to keep tight control over the case, and balked at the fees, according to attorneys with knowledge of the talks.

-- From News Services