Defense attorneys and federal prosecutors will begin jury selection for the second time in 10 months on Monday in the pre-jury trial of baseball pitching great Roger Clemens, who is accused of lying to Congress about his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs during a professional career that spanned more than two decades. Clemens’ first trial in July came to an abrupt halt, after two days in, when prosecutors introduced evidence that was previously banned by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton.
Prosecutors now get the chance to offer a case based largely on the testimony of Clemens’ former trainer, Brian McNamee, who told a House committee four years ago that he repeatedly injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with steroids and human growth hormones. McNamee reportedly has the evidence of needles and bloody swabs to use against the former pitcher. Clemens asserts both in media interviews and to Congress that he has never used performance-enhancing drugs. The jury selection is expected to take three to four days, with opening arguments coming as early as the end of next week.
