Barry Bonds Trial Update: Steve Hoskins Testimony
On Wednesday, Bonds’ childhood friend Steve Hoskins testified that he observed Bonds and trainer Greg Anderson emerge from a bedroom, with Anderson carrying needles and a syringe. Hoskins also testified about a conversation he recorded between himself and Anderson in 2002, and informed the jurors that Bonds asked him to research performance enhancing drugs. Defense counsel grilled Hoskins, and effectively elicited testimony that Hoskins had been charged with forgery and stealing money from Bonds, suggesting that Hoskins’ testimony is payback. Additionally, the jurors heard that Hoskins had paid $10,000 in legal fees for Bonds’ ex-girlfriend, Kimberly Bell, who will also testify against Bonds.Reportedly, Hoskins performed awfully on the stand, and gave inconsistent testimony. As bad as he may have looked however, the jurors heard the telephone conversation with Anderson, in which the words “steroids” and “human growth hormone” were repeatedly used. The jurors were also given a transcript of the conversation, and apparently were taking copious notes. Jurors typically do not take notes unless the evidence is extremely important. The most damaging statement was Anderson stating, “[e]verything I’ve been doing, at this point, it’s all undetectable,” and even referred to Marion Jones, the Olympic runner who admitted to taking performance enhancing drugs.
On Thursday, Larry Bowers, director at the US Anti Doping Agency, gave expert testimony before the jurors. Bowers explained that shrinking testicles, hand, foot and head growth, and other symptoms allegedly exhibited by Bonds are side effects of steroid and human growth hormone use. Bowers’ testimony is to lay the foundation for the eventual testimony of Bell. Bell is expected to testify that Bonds experienced testicle shrinkage, back acne and other physical attributes associated with steroids. Bowers provides the expert testimony necessary to link Bonds’ symptoms with steroid use. On cross examination, defense counsel questioned Bowers on the dearth of scientific studies performed on the issue, and effectively established that one of the steroids Bonds took, the “clear,” was not detected by anti-doping agencies until after Bonds testified before the grand jury.
The government needs to do more than show Bonds took steroids; it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Bonds lied when he told a grand jury that he took substances given to him by Anderson, but that he did so without knowing the substances were performance enhancing drugs. The potentially damaging evidence so far is the recorded conversation and that Bonds asked Hoskins to research performance enhancing drugs, and even that is circumstantial. However the government may be able to utilize a substantial amount of circumstantial evidence to convince the jurors that Bonds had to know what Anderson was putting in his body. Kimberly Bell’s testimony next week will be important. Former Giants trainer Stan Conte and Kathy Hoskins (Steve Hoskins’ wife) are also expected to take the stand.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.