Imagine an ad on television, that told you to “call now” for an amazing product. You could make your head and feet grow. I suspect that the reason we haven’t seen this product yet, is because no one wants it. We’re more excited about things that take dry skin off the feet or let us purchase a “hair system” for the head.

     Today’s blog takes us to a courtroom in San Francisco. It’s the ongoing trial of former major league baseball player, Barry Bonds.

     Most of the US, whether they are sports fans or not, probably would already say that they know that Barry Bonds used steroids. The next question would either be “So what?” or “why hasn’t he already been found guilty?” That’s why this trial isn’t really interesting because of innocence or guilt. The real story (Sports Illustrated) is about the evidence that is being introduced, each day, during this criminal trial.

     Barry Bonds’ defense is that he didn’t know he was using steroids. He thought that it was health food and supplements like Flax seed.  That’s why the prosecution is introducing evidence to attack that defense. Some of those attacks are coming in the form of the following witnesses:

     During his playing days, Barry Bonds played for the San Francisco Giants. The prosecution has called the clubhouse attendant to testify to Barry’s hats and shoes. The attendant has testified that he had to keep changing the size of Barry’s hats and spikes because his head and feet were growing.

     We don’t have an answer yet as to why Barry would claim that he didn’t notice or think it strange for a 30-40 year  old man to have growth spurts. Instead, the defense has attacked the witness that was called to describe what steroids and human hormone growth injections do to the body.

     The attached SI article describes the government’s witness, who testified about the chemistry of steroids and human growth hormones. A side effect…… your head and feet will grow and swell. The defense countered in cross  that the witness could not testify with certainty as to how big your head or feet would grow. The defense attorney asked, “Does it grow (head) twice as big?” He apparently must think he is making points, when the witness could not answer with certainty.

     Past witnesses that have been called, included Bonds’ business associate; who provided a tape recording of some evidence that supported that Bonds knew he was receiving steroid injections. The trainer was saying that Bonds had him inject in different places, so he didn’t have scar tissue.  The defense attacked that witness, by questioning his motives for making the tape.

     It seems that the defense is hoping that the jury will be angry at the government for spending tax payer money, to go after Bonds. Or, that the jury will dislike the witnesses that are testifying. For real life soap opera reading, you might want to follow the trial a bit. 

     This trial has some unique evidence and arguments. The determination of guilt or innocence is probably a week or so away. Whatever happens, it seems that having your head grow is already a big punishment. I guess there really is something to the saying, “He has a big head”.

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