Major League Baseball’s home run king, Barry Bonds, has again pleaded not guilty to charges that he lied under oath about using steroids.
Bonds’ plea in a San Francisco court Tuesday was his fourth since the charges against him were first presented more than two years ago. Prosecutors have revised the charges several times.
Bonds is accused of making false statements to a grand jury and obstructing justice. Prosecutors allege he lied to a grand jury in 2003 when he said he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.
His trial is set to begin March 21. But it remains to be seen whether the jury will hear testimony from one of the key witnesses, Bonds’ personal trainer, Greg Anderson. Anderson already has served a year in jail for refusing to give evidence to the grand jury investigating Bonds, and he could face additional jail time if he refuses again.
Bonds holds baseball’s single-season home run record of 73, hit in 2001. He also earned the record for the most home runs in a career in 2007, with 762.
Late in that season, the San Francisco Giants told the seven-time National League MVP they did not want him back. He has not played since.
