SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds claims he did not commit perjury during his 2003 grand jury testimony relating to the BALCO steroids scandal when he testified that he believed a clear substance given to him by personal trainer Greg Anderson was arthritis balm. Bonds admits the testimony was "a rank fabrication" but claims it did not rise to the level of perjury because the oath he took at the start of his testimony had "worn off" by the time he told the lie.
The crime of perjury requires a knowing falsehood under oath.
"My lie came an hour into the testimony, and by that time, I could feel that the oath had worn off, no question about it," Bonds said.
Bonds' lawyer, Bradleys Roadhouse, explained the legal rationale for the defense: "Just as medications and magic spells lose their power over time, it shouldn't surprise anyone that oaths, too, have a limited shelf-life. It's usually no more than one hour. Anyone who has ever seen the delightful '60s sitcom Bewitched knows that most every curse Endora put on Darrin [Stephens] eventually wore off. The same goes here. After that, Barry was free to lie at will without any repercussions. At least that's the best we have right now."
