Bonds facing fewer felony charges...

[madinmaryland]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Federal prosecutors on Thursday cut the number of felony charges Barry Bonds faces from 11 to five.

Major League Baseball's home run leader still faces the same punishment he always has, but the paring of the charges still underscored the troubles prosecutors have encountered since indicting him for the first time in 2007 for allegedly lying to a grand jury about his steroids use. Bonds has pleaded not guilty.

The indictment unsealed Thursday was the fourth version of the charges against Bonds. The document reflects the hit the government's case took when the slugger's personal trainer made clear his willingness to go to jail on contempt of court charges instead of testifying against his former client.

The trainer, Greg Anderson, has already served more than a year in prison for refusing to testify before the grand jury investigating Bonds. Anderson, who prosecutors allege supplied Bonds with steroids, is scheduled to appear in court before Bonds' March 21 trial to formally tell the judge of his plans for the trial. Anderson's attorney, Mark Geragos, said Anderson will reiterate his refusal to take the witness stand. It's likely that Anderson will be jailed for the duration of the trial, which is expected to last up to a month.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/02/10/barry-bonds-felony-charges.ap/index.html#ixzz1DfV0GeSo

Haven't had one of these threads in a while.

:popcorn:

[Auggie]

1. The evidence prosecutors had on the dismissed felony charges was inadmissable

When I read this a few hours ago my first thought was this streamlines the prosecutors' case and makes it easier to prove. Bonds is still toast, IMO. One obstruction of justice charge is enough to put someone away for a few years, unless your name is Scooter Libby, of course.

[chelsea0011]

2. Why would anyone spend any time in jail only because they refuse

to testify against Bonds? Is he totally cracked?

[El Supremo]

3. $$$$$$$$$

They need to find the payoff trail.

[Upton]

4. Because Anderson and Bonds have been friends since middle school..

Maybe you'd testify against a lifelong friend, but many folks won't. Even if it costs them time in jail.

Greg Anderson isn't "cracked"..he's a standup individual.

[chelsea0011]

5. You're kidding. Right?

[madinmaryland]

6. Upton would go to jail to protect a friend that has committed a felony

rather than just telling the truth.

One has to wonder how much Anderson is getting paid..

[chelsea0011]

7. Bonds must be thrilled to have a friend like Anderson because Bonds

ain't doin' nothing for him to get him out. Now that's friendship. You are right. It must be money.

[trumad]

13. Because Cboy/Upton fantasizes about being in a jail cell with Bubba.

Cboy/Upton is full of shit...he'd squeal fast than a Pig at a slaughter farm.

[Upton]

8. Nope..

Ratting on a childhood friend is pretty low in my book.

What about family members..would you testify against them too?

[Auggie]

9. Felony? I'd have to testify...

unless I had made a vow of silence to someone like Tony Soprano.

:hide:

[El Supremo]

10. Not if he was your spouse.

That's it! Barroid needs to marry Anderson.

[Auggie]

11. Uh...

that's an interesting point. Could a legally wedded partner be forced to testify against another? Are same-sex marriages in one state recognized by courts in another, or by the Federal Courts?

[El Supremo]

12. It's Valentines Day!

:loveya: