Roger Clemens wants charges dropped, no new trial
Attorneys for former All-Star pitcher Roger Clemens asked a federal judge in Washington to dismiss charges that the Major League baseball legend lied to Congress about using steroids and asked the court to prevent prosecutors from trying him again after his first trial ended in a mistrial this month.
Clemens’ defense team asserted in a filing Friday that taking Clemens to trial again would be double jeopardy, and that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner should not face charges of perjury, lying to Congress and obstruction of justice. The government claims Clemens lied under oath when he said in a 2008 congressional hearing that he had never used steroids or human growth hormone.
The first trial ended July 14 when the government inadvertently showed the jury a video that U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton had deemed inadmissible because it was hearsay evidence from a third party who said Clemens had discussed steroid use.
The government has until Aug. 19 to respond, and Walton has scheduled a Sept. 2 hearing to decide whether the matter should go forward or be dropped.
Clemens won 354 games in 24 seasons pitching for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros. If he is retried and convicted of the charges against him, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5-million fine.
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