Opinion: Bonds Convicts Himself with ‘Irrelevant Soliloquy’

Thursday, 14 April 2011 | by Pat's Picks

It was Barry Bonds’ own words that got him convicted of obstruction writes San Francisco Chronicle columnist Gwen Knapp. When asked whether his trainer had given him anything that required a syringe, Bonds launched into a “thoroughly irrelevant soliloquy” about being a celebrity child. Following judge’s instructions that said “evasive answers amounted to obstruction,” the jury decided Bonds was guilty. Knapp says most of the 30 athletes called to testify in front of the Grand Jury “showed sufficient respect for the law” by telling the truth; only four, including Bonds, were charged with “thumbing their noses” at the process. The jury could not, however, reach a verdict on the other three counts Bonds faced.