Jury selection for the perjury trial of Roger Clemens , the former all-star MLB pitcher begins today. The baseball hero is fighting a six-count federal indictment for allegedly lying under oath to members of Congress during a deposition in 2008. Clemens claimed that he never once used any illegal performance-enhancing drugs throughout his nearly quarter century long career. The baseball legend has won a total of 354 games and took home 7 Cy-Young Awards before his final pitch on September 16, 2007.
The case will be primarily based upon the testimony of Clemens’ former trainer Brian McNamee who will testify that he injected the baseball star with steroids and human growth hormones to enhance his performance. Clemens however, denies these allegations and claims McNamee is fabricating the accusations in order to save himself from drug charges. The prosecution will also attempt to utilize the testimony of former New York Yankee teammate Andy Pettitte who claims that in the past, Clemens has admitted drug use to him. Clemens’ attorney seeks to rebut that Pettitte simply misunderstood what was said during such conversation. The prosecution is further expected to introduce physical evidence consisting of blood stained gauze and needles allegedly used to inject the baseball star.
Although an unlikely end, the baseball legend’s charges could land him in jail for up to 30 years and cost him a $1.5 million fine. To avoid such a fate, Clemens will need to win the game of who is lying and who is truth telling and above all else, who the jury believes more.