In discussing the Barry Bonds trial earlier Tuesday, we left off with former Giants trainer Stan Conte. So let’s pick up!
Barry Bonds Trial Features Jeremy, Jason Giambi On Busy Tuesday
Bonds’ defense team began its cross-examination of Conte in earnest after lunch, and took time to focus on his split with Bonds, during which Conte told Bonds he should look elsewhere for his rehab. Allen Ruby also showed Conte a letter from Bonds’ doctor written in late 2003 that said the player was in great health.
At that point, Conte's stint was done, and the government called Jason Giambi, the first of a few baseball players who will serve as witnesses. Giambi testified that he met Greg Anderson in Japan in 2002 and soon thereafter started visiting Balco. Giambi was already using a steroid, but it was detectable, so Anderson gave him some stuff that tests wouldn't pick up. Giambi received, in different shipments, testosterone, syringes, calendars, the "cream", the "clear", and usage instructions, and said he understood the substances to be steroid-like performance enhancers. The defense attempted to establish in cross-examination that Giambi didn't know what the cream and the clear were back in 2002 and 2003.
Up next was Jason’s brother Jeremy Giambi, who also met Anderson in Japan. After a few conversations, Anderson told Giambi that he could provide undetectable performance-enhancing drugs. Before long, Giambi received a package containing the cream, the clear, and HGH. The defense again tried to suggest that Giambi didn’t have a good understanding of what these substances were, but Giambi said he understood them to be steroid-like.
Our final witness of the day was Bonds’ former teammate Marvin Benard. Benard testified that, after trying some steroids in Mexico, he talked with Anderson, who said he could provide some better stuff. Benard then said that Anderson personally injected him, and that he began using the cream and the clear. He also testified to using HGH at Anderson’s suggestion. It’s worth noting that he didn’t personally observe other teammates in the clubhouse using steroids. Bonds’ name didn’t come up.
The day ended before Benard could be subjected to cross-examination, so he’ll return Wednesday morning. And so will we!
Follow along in this StoryStream for updates, and also get more information from SB Nation Bay Area’s Barry Bonds trial coverage, for which David Fucillo will be live-blogging - and live-tweeting - from the courtroom. You can follow on Twitter @SBNBayArea.
See More:
