Bonds sentence delayed pending appeal
SAN FRANCISCO
A federal judge on Friday spared Barry Bonds from serving time behind bars for his obstruction of justice conviction.
COMING CLEAN
The Mitchell Report blew the lid off MLB's steroid culture. See which players have admitted to PED use.US District Judge Susan Illston sentenced Bonds to two years of probation, 30 days of home confinement and 250 hours of community service for misleading a 2003 grand jury investigating a steroids ring.
Illston also delayed her sentence pending the outcome of Bonds' appeal of the conviction — meaning that Bonds will not begin serving his 30-day home confinement period or two-year probation until his appeal is settled.
Bonds' attorneys estimated the appeal process will take approximately 18 months.
Baseball's all-time home runs leader was found guilty of obstruction of justice in April after a jury determined that he gave misleading testimony before a 2003 grand jury investigating BALCO, a Bay Area laboratory that distributed steroids to top athletes.
Bonds is the 11th person to be convicted in the steroids probe, joining the likes of track star Marion Jones and Bonds' personal trainer Greg Anderson.
Illston's sentence Friday was an apparent victory for Bonds' defense team, who had specifically asked for a home confinement sentence while prosecutors advocated an incarceration period of 15 months.
Assistant US Attorney Matthew Parrella argued before Illston that home confinement was not a strong enough punishment for a millionaire who lives in a 15,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, Calif., but the Bill Clinton-appointee was not swayed.
Bonds, who appeared noticeably thinner since his guilty verdict was read in April, declined a chance to speak on his own behalf in court Friday.
Bonds' legal team said it was optimistic in its appeal.
"We absolutely believe Barry was wrongly convicted of a felony offense," attorney Donald Horgan said. "At the moment he is branded a felon. We intend to fight it on appeal and overturn that judgment so he can return to public life as a citizen free of a criminal conviction."
"I've been doing this before the Ninth Circuit [US Court of Appeals] for 30 years now, and this is certainly as powerful of an appeal that I've ever had," Horgan added.
Illston's sentence also includes a $4,000 fine and prohibits Bonds from owning any firearms.
Bonds did not speak to reporters after the sentencing hearing, and Horgan said Bonds' last words to him were "Merry Christmas," implying that the former San Francisco Giant was at least somewhat satisfied with Friday's outcome.
Bonds, 47, who also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, retired from baseball after the 2007 season with an all-time best 762 career home runs and seven National League MVP awards.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: Vick event sparks backlash
A seemingly innocuous visit from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick caused ... -
Report: UFC Octagon vixen arrested
Report: UFC Octagon vixen Arianny Celeste arrested. -
No way Celtics can hang with Heat
Celtics advance to East finals, but Heat have nothing to worry about. -
Report: Matt Forte's knees a concern
One key reason the Chicago Bears are yet to offer a long-term deal to running back Ma... -
Report: Ex-WR Bobby Sippio charged
Former NFL wide receiver Bobby Sippio remained in jail Saturday on charges he and ano...
MLB Videos
MLB on FOX's Victor Rojas and Eric Byrnes recap the Angels' 5-3 win over the Mar...
MLB on FOX's Bob Brenly and Kenny Albert recap the Pirates' 3-2 win over the Cub...
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal talks with Jarrod Saltalamacchia after Boston's wi...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt |
| New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 | 16.95 | New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat |
| Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt |
| Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet |
| New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 28.95 | New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat |
| Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch |
| Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo.. |
| Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White |

Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.