The federal prosecutors spent almost 2 years in building the case against Roger Clemens. Their successful effort in indicting Clemens on several charges is already a major achievement for them. However, they should not take this case easy because Clemens have his own team of defense lawyers ready to question every evidence that they will be presenting in court.

Steroid issues are common in baseball but the case of Clemens is still an interesting topic to cover. During his appearance in court, hundreds of media people storm the courthouse to hear what The Rocket would say about the charges filed against him. He will be defending himself from 1 count of obstruction of justice, 3 counts of making false statements and 2 counts of perjury.

The government prosecutors were led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Butler and Steven Durham. FBI agent John Longmire also played a major role in Clemens case because he helped gather evidences and interviewed several witnesses. On the other hand, Clemens’ defense lawyers is headed by Rusty Hardin. Both camps are expected to exchange heated arguments once the trial begins. According to online reports, Judge Walton set a tentative trial date on April 5. They still need to meet on December 8 for a status hearing and on March 28 for motion hearing.

Clemens arrived 4 hours earlier before the start of the hearing. The hearing, which lasted for more or less 15 minutes, only involved the presentation of evidences and documents related in the case. As expected, Clemens pleaded not guilty on the charges. “Not guilty, your honor,” Clemens told US Judge Reggie B. Walton.

The prosecutors provided the court with 34-page master index of evidence and 12 computer discs. It includes the testimonies of witnesses summoned by the grand jury and the interviews conducted by the FBI. With the evidences presented in court, Rusty Hardin told the judge that there is a good deal of scientific evidence that needs to be tested. “We will be at the mercy of the experts - both sides,” said Hardin. Included in the evidences were the syringes and other paraphernalia which Brian McNamee allegedly used to inject Clemens with anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.

Roger Clemens was released on his own recognizance but prosecutors requested that his passport must be surrendered to the court. Judge Walton denied the request. Walton said that Clemens is a well known person and if he tries to leave the country, he will be easily identified.

When Roger Clemens named as one of elite baseball players involved in the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone, he immediately counteracts the allegations. In the CNN report, Clemens was quoted when he appeared in the inquiry. Steroid use “is totally incompatible with who I am and what I stand for. I cannot in good conscience admit to doing something that I did not do, even if it would be easier to do so,” Clemens told the lawmakers.

Clemens played for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and New York Yankees during his 24 years of playing professional baseball. As an 11-time All-Star and a 7-time CY Young Awardee, Clemens statistics is eligible to the Hall of Fame. He had 354 victories, 4,672 strikeouts, and a 3.12 earned-run average. However, his steroid case may affect his chances in the 2013 Hall of Fame voting.

After the hearing, Clemens immediately proceeded to a gold course in Calabash, NC. He is competing in the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship.

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