Roger Clemens cleared of all perjury charges
A jury has cleared the famous baseball pitcher, Roger Clemens, of all perjury charges for allegedly lying to Congress, denying using performance-enhancing drugs.
2007 Photo Keith Allison
After ten hours of deliberation, the jurors returned on Monday to end a 10-week trial, a five-year investigation and mark the end of the charges against Clemens.
CNN adds that Clemens wiped his eyes after the verdict was announced, then hugged his likewise emotional sons. His lawyer, Rusty Hardin, meanwhile, gave a thumbs-up to the jury before leaving the courtroom.
“Mr. Clemens, you’re free to go,” Judge Reggie Walton said.
Minutes later, Clemens thanked his family, lawyers and others who have supported him during the trial and in the years since he was accused of using illicit performance enhancing drugs.
“I put a lot of hard work into that career,” he told reporters, choking up on the steps of the federal courthouse in Washington. “I appreciate my teammates that came in, and all the e-mails and phone calls.”
Hardin thanked the jury, and lavished praise on his client for his demeanor and character.
“It has been four and a half years since we listened to a picture that doesn’t match up at all with the man we have grown to know and love,” the lawyer said. “He is not only a seven-time Cy Young winner, he’s a hell of a man.”
