Barry Bonds broke the all-time record for home runs on August 7, but he now faces a five count indictment from a San Francisco Grand Jury and the possibility of 30 years in prison.
Bonds’ lawyers expressed surprise today when the decision came back with four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.
The charges come as a result of testimony Bonds gave in December 2003, while his trainer Greg Anderson was on trial for the BALCO scandal in San Francisco.
The BALCO era has been linked to many other professional athletes including Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield.
This legal situation comes one month after Bonds filed for free agency in hopes of catching on with a club other for a 23rd Major League season. He tallied 28 home runs and 66 RBI during the 2007 season and talks were of him ending up across the bay in Oakland next season, taking advantage of the DH rule.
The 43-year-old Bonds began his career in 1986 with the Pittsburgh Pirates before signing with the San Francisco Giants in 1993. Over his career Bonds has amassed 762 home runs, nearly 2000 RBIs, 14 All-Star appearances and a record seven MVP awards. His prickly media demeanor however, has damaged his public opinion in every city away from the Bay Area.
This public opinion is sure not to change in the coming weeks and months as more information presents itself and the investigation continues.
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