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Clemens pleads not guilty to charges
Source: Agencies |
September 1, 2010, Wednesday
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FORMER baseball great Roger Clemens pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of lying to Congress about whether he used steroids or human growth hormone.
When asked for a plea by US District Judge Reggie Walton, the retired Major League Baseball pitcher said in a clear voice: "Not guilty, your honor." Clemens, wearing a suit and tie, was appearing in federal court only a few blocks away from where he swore under oath to a House committee in 2008 that he had not used performance-enhancing drugs.
Clemens, who pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros, entered his plea in US District Court.
Federal prosecutors didn't believe Clemens' testimony to Congress, and they subsequently charged him with making false statements, perjury and obstruction of Congress.
The 48-year-old Clemens had vowed to fight the charges.
Guidelines
At Clemens' arraignment on Monday, US District Judge Reggie Walton set an April 5 date for choosing a jury.
If convicted on all charges, Clemens could face up to 30 years in prison and a US$1.5 million fine, though under US sentencing guidelines, he would probably face no more than 15 to 21 months in prison. However, a conviction could also cause catastrophic damage to his reputation, future earning potential and his chances of getting into baseball's Hall of Fame.
Clemens was being arraigned on three counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of Congress. 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 on August 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."
When asked for a plea by US District Judge Reggie Walton, the retired Major League Baseball pitcher said in a clear voice: "Not guilty, your honor." Clemens, wearing a suit and tie, was appearing in federal court only a few blocks away from where he swore under oath to a House committee in 2008 that he had not used performance-enhancing drugs.
Clemens, who pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros, entered his plea in US District Court.
Federal prosecutors didn't believe Clemens' testimony to Congress, and they subsequently charged him with making false statements, perjury and obstruction of Congress.
The 48-year-old Clemens had vowed to fight the charges.
Guidelines
At Clemens' arraignment on Monday, US District Judge Reggie Walton set an April 5 date for choosing a jury.
If convicted on all charges, Clemens could face up to 30 years in prison and a US$1.5 million fine, though under US sentencing guidelines, he would probably face no more than 15 to 21 months in prison. However, a conviction could also cause catastrophic damage to his reputation, future earning potential and his chances of getting into baseball's Hall of Fame.
Clemens was being arraigned on three counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of Congress. 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 on August 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."
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