Barry Bonds Verdict – A Surprising Waste Of Money?

The Surprising verdict is in for the Barry Bonds Steroid Trial, only one of four counts brought a guilty verdict-was it worth it?

The only charge jurors found Bonds guilty of was obstruction of justice. He was facing four total counts, including  that he knowingly lied about taking steroids or performance enhancing drugs, and that he lied about receiving an injection from his personal trainer (of another performance enhancer). The jury was deadlocked on three of the four, and the jury foreman said there would be "no benefit to continuing discussions."  Bonds could receive a maximum sentence of ten years, but federal sentencing guidelines show he could or will probably get home confinement as opposed to 15-21 months in jail.  But the big question now is, where do they go from here?   His defense team could seek a dismissal of the one charge, claiming since the jury was deadlocked on the three more serious charges, why charge him with obstruction?  U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag, who led the prosecution, said her office will soon decide if they will seek a retrial on the deadlocked counts. But public pressure could quash that.  The  cost of the trial itself is already estimated at six million dollars--if you count the lengthy BALCO investigation (the Bay Area lab that was the hub of professional sports steroid activity) the cost has been approaching 50 million--taxpayer money. Because numerous other athletes have already admitted to taking PED's, and professional sports have implemented significant drug testing and policing programs, many critics believe this trial, and future ones would be a waste of money.