Incriminating Photographs Revealed at Clemens Trial
The first day of Roger Clemens’ trial began on Wednesday with opening arguments from both the defense and prosecution aiming to pin perjury charges on the 11 time all-star athlete. The prosecution revealed evidence that he believes is enough to refute the former pitcher’s innocence.
In 2008, the seven-time Cy Young award-winning pitcher told Congress that he had never used anabolic steroids or human growth hormones during his 24 season Major League Baseball career.
Steve Durham, U.S. Attorney and prosecutor for the case, told the court about the importance of the case and its effects on the MLB in his opening statements. Durham’s statements stressed the importance of honesty under oath.
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"To knowingly say things that they know not to be true, these are very serious federal crimes," he said in reference to Clemen’s alleged dishonest testimonies.
Rusty Hardin, Clemen’s lawyer, said that the government is wrongly accusing his client because of his celebrity status.
''It's a fact of life that sometimes when people reach the mountain, there is an unwillingness to give them equal consideration when people come down on them,” Hardin said. “And that's what happened with Roger.''
Durham said 45 witnesses, including former teammates, were ready to contest Hardin and Clemens’ claims. One of the witnesses includes Brian McNamee, Clemen’s former trainer who has admitted to injecting the former pitcher with illegal drugs.
Despite McNamee’s claim, Clemens and his legal staff are trying to prove that the trainer is a liar looking for monetary compensation and fame. However, Durham said he will present evidence that McNamee has held onto for six years.
Durham presented the court with images of the old cotton balls, needles and vials used by Clemens during his career. After being tested by two labs, Durham said the evidence would be enough to prove that Clemens is guilty.
''They found absolutely no B-12, and they found absolutely no lidocaine,'' Durham said, disputing claims that Clemens was injected with vitamins and anesthetics for his joints. ''What they did find was anabolic steroids.''
Clemens trial will continue this week. If found guilty, the star pitcher faces a possible maximum 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine.
