Judge Declares Mistrial In Clemens Prejury Case (UPDATED)

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton has declared a mistrial in the Roger Clemens perjury case. The reason for this is because the prosecution used inadmissible evidence. That evidence is said to be a video of Clemens' testimony before Congress in 2008.

From what I have read the judge flipped out on the prosecution and then took a recess to think if they the case could continue. He came back later and stated that the case would be declared a mistrial. That doesn't mean Clemens is in any less trouble, but it does mean this is going to linger on, because they are going to have to select a whole new jury and start from scratch.

***UPDATE***

This might have been a bigger mistake then first thought...

"According to ESPN's T.J. Quinn, the court has to decide whether Clemens can be retried or if doing so would be double-jeapordy."

Why Not?

Why not a dramatic reading of Congressman Weiner's texts?

The Weinerlogues with Jane Lynch - watch more funny videos

Clemens Banned From Astros

I wasn't even aware that Clemens was still connected with the Astros, but apparently he was until today...

"Roger Clemens signed a contract with the Astros in 2004 that locked him into a 10-year personal services deal with the team upon his retirement. Now, however, the Astros don't want the disgraced ace around the club. "I think everybody is just on hold until they see where he is with the government," Astros owner Drayton McLane told the New York Daily News on Thursday. "He doesn't get involved in any way in our spring training or when he goes to where [his son] Koby is on one of our minor league teams. He doesn't get involved in the activities of the team. He's strictly a parent and a spectator (WEEI)."

This is probably the best thing for the Astros and Clemens' son, because right now it is just better not to have to deal the the sinking ship that is Clemens life. I also think this could be a sign that Clemens is about to go down hard. His trial is coming up, and from everything I have been reading there is a good chance that he is going to jail (more so then Bonds). Either way, until he (and Bonds) have their names cleared of these charges everyone is better off with them not around MLB fields.

Roger Clemens To Be Arraigned Monday

"Former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens, who has been indicted on six charges that he lied to Congress regarding his use of performance-enhancing drugs, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon on criminal charges in Washington D.C. Clemens will appear before U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, facing charges that he obstructed a congressional inquiry with 15 separate statements made under oath, including the statement that he never used steroids or human growth hormone.

Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin, has stated that federal prosecutors offered a plea but the pitcher rejected. The former pitcher faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine (WEEI)."

This is getting really serious for Clemens. I am not sure about all the proof they have on him, but from what I have read the government doesn't usually pursue these types of charges unless they really feel like they have you. I am against that Congress wasted it's time on sports, but I am fir pressing charges in this case. You can't lie when under oath, and if you do you have to pay the price, otherwise what's the point of being under oath?

Either way someone is going to look really bad. If Clemens if convicted then his entire career is going to go down the shitter, plus he could be doing some serious jail time. If he gets off it's more tax money spent on reckless shit that doesn't matter, and Congress would look like a bunch of idiot (and they don't need any help in that department).

Why Not?

Why not base your vote for Congress on how they shoot guns?

NFLPA Asks For Congress' Help

So the NFLPA wants Congress to step in and stop a lockout from happening after this season. As much as I don't want a lock out to happen, why the fuck does the US Government have to get involved? We have a policy of never getting political on this site, and I think Congress should have a policy of not getting involved in sports. There are enough fucking problems in this country to have Congress busy for a long time, at the bottom of that list should be sports.

People are unemployed, companies failing, roads falling apart, but no lets focus on whether or not some asshole should get $3.8 million or $4.3 million. Honestly, this kind of shit drives me up the wall. I love sports, it is part of my life everyday, but I know what is truly important, and sports is not on the top of the list. If there is a problem in the NFL then they should fix it themselves, I think they get paid enough that it can be left up to themselves.

House of Reps approves to create NCAA FB playoff system

"WASHINGTON -- A House subcommittee has approved legislation aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine a national champion.

The bill would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I football game as a national championship unless that title contest is the result of a playoff."

CBSSports.com wire reports.
STATS LLC.


Personally I love it; this is a large step toward a playoff system in college football. I don't know if I agree on congress having to step in and pass legislation for it but if congress is voting for the people they represent, then they're voting correctly. They're have been many arguments over whether the BCS system is fair or not and hopefully soon, that argument will be null and void.4 Teams? 6 Teams? 8 Teams? 12?? What do you think? There will be much more reporting on the BCS vs. Playoff system soon to come here on DC, stay tuned.

Congress Attacking Goodell About Concussions

"NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did not acknowledge a connection between head injuries on the football field and later brain diseases while defending the league's policies on concussions before Congress on Wednesday. That frustrated several members of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, including the committee chairman, Michigan Democrat John Conyers, when Goodell told him the NFL isn't waiting for that debate to play out and is taking steps to make the game safer.

"I just asked you a simple question. What is the answer?" persisted Conyers.

Goodell replied by saying a medical expert could give a better answer than he could. But some House members complained later that Dr. Ira Casson, chairman of the NFL's committee on concussions, had not testified. Democratic Rep. Linda Sanchez gave Casson some exposure anyway, playing a clip of a TV interview in which he denied evidence of a link between multiple head injuries in NFL players with brain disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's. Sanchez said that reminded her of tobacco companies denying a link between smoking and health damage in the 1990s(Sportsline)."

This story really aggravates me. First off it is up to the doctor to clear a player, so I really don't know how much say the NFL has anymore (used to be different). My other question (which I seem to be asking a lot) is why the fuck is congress involved in this? This is something the NFLPA should be all over. I think Congress probably have more important thing to attend to then concussions in NFL player. I think that most doctors are still learning about concussions, and that they are getting better. I really don't see how these hearing will do anything, unless they just put in more stupid rules (like not being able to hit QBs, ect).

Ike Skelton Talks Shit

Schilling To Run For Congress?

I have been holding off on this story hoping someone else will write it...

A day after writing on his blog that he has "some interest" in running for the seat held for nearly 50 years by Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Curt Schilling did not back off -- and sounded even more determined in considering the opportunity.

The one thing Schilling would not be fond of is the scrutiny that would come with a potential run.

"[Running] would be fun. The whole spotlight media crap, not so much," the former major league pitcher, who helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and 2007, told Boston radio station WEEI on Thursday. "But [a run] would be a lot of fun because pretty much anybody that you're fighting against in office right now doesn't really have much of a leg to stand on right now.

"There's nobody you can go up against that you couldn't probably drag out a laundry list of stuff and say, 'Listen, this person's already proven that they're status quo, that they're business as usual, and we need anything but in every way shape and form moving forward."

A registered independent and longtime Republican supporter, Schilling wrote on his blog that while his family and video game company, 38 Studios, are high priorities, "I do have some interest in the possibility (ESPN)."

Ok first off Schilling you are a fucking liar. You love the media, you are actually part of the media. You shoot your mouth off on the radio all day, so don't act like that isn't why you are doing this. We have seen it so many times that there are guys who just can't leave the spotlight (Favre). Schilling knows he can't play anymore, but this would put him back in the media focus. No one should be surprised by this. He has had his hand in politics for awhile, and is just a fucking media whore. I respect everything he did for the Sox, and I do believe he pushed them over the hump, but man he makes it tough to like him...

Lou Holtz Will Not Run For Congress

Just to update the story from yesterday....

"Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz tells an Indiana television station he doesn't plan to run for Congress. Holtz told WNDU-TV of South Bend that he's focusing on working for ESPN, saying: "I don't want to run for Congress (Sportsline)."

Too bad. I want to hear Loud Holtz talk as much as possible. I find him funny (lisp/age) and inspirational (pump up speeches), which is a very rare combo...

Lou Holtz For Congress

Finally some politics I can get behind....

"Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz is mulling a run for Congress in Florida as a Republican, a GOP strategist said Tuesday. Holtz could decide in the next several weeks whether to seek the central Florida congressional seat held by Democrat U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, said the strategist who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to talk about the matter (Sportsline)."

Sure he is 72 years old. Sure he has a lisp, but if he was running for Massachusetts I would vote for him. Why? Because the man gives the best pump up speeches. Honestly when he is on ESPN and does the speeches he would say for different teams each week it would get me so pumped up I was ready to play. Yea, I stayed on my couch, but man I was pumped.

So....Go for it Lou!!!!!!!!!!!

Tejada Gets 1 Year Probation

"With an apology to Congress, baseball and the kids who looked up to him, All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada received a sentence of one year of probation Thursday for misleading Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Tejada faced possible prison time, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay issued a sentence of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine. Kay waived drug testing often required of other convicts on probation and said he wouldn't restrict the Houston Astros player's travel (Sportsline)."

Well now we know the minimum that these players that lied to Congress will get. The reason Tejada was let off easy was because he only lied about his teammates drug use and not his own. The have no evidence to say Tejada used steroids, only that he got them (which he admitted). I applaud Congress for giving him a slap on the wrist, but still making it obvious that you can't just lie to them. Now comes the big dogs with Clemens and Bonds...if convicted they will not be getting off so lightly.

Miguel Tejada Charged With Lying To Congress

"Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former American League MVP, has been charged with lying to Congress about steroids (Sportsline)."

Another day, another former star in trouble with Congress. Though I don't believe Congress should be wasting it's time on this kind of stuff, they do have a job to make sure that people don't lie under oath. If you aren't going to make people feel the consequences of doing so, then "being under oath" really doesn't mean anything.

**UPDATE** "Tejada is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday where he is expected to plead guilty (sportsline)." This will be the first of many...