If Barry Bonds decides to press his case to a trial, the potential witness list will be fascinating. From players to doctors to BALCO execs, a host of characters will grace the San Francisco courtroom for the nation's entertainment -- except for Barry Bonds, for his guilt or innocence.
Our list of possible witnesses:
Athletes:
- Marion Jones. There was lose talk around BALCO about who took what. Tim Montgomery -- Jones' paramour -- apparently testified of this during the BALCO grand jury. Perhaps Jones' deal in New York included a witness gig in California.
- Tim Montgomery, once world record holder in the 100M, now stripped of that title. Reportedly Montgomery informed Montgomery of Bonds' PED use.
- Jason Giambi, BALCO client, and Bonds teammate on a trip to Japan.
- Gary Sheffield, who stayed with Bonds part of an off-season. Reportedly, Bonds' steroid dealer - Greg Anderson -- also supplied Sheffield with the cream (testosterone) and the clear (THG).
Bonds allegedly became angry with Sheffield, ordering Anderson not to deal Shef any PEDs. - Ex-Giant catcher Benito Santiago, who lockered near Bonds, and likely obtained 'roids/HGH from Anderson.
- Bobby Estalella -- likewise locker near Bonds on the Giants.
- Randy Velarde -- ditto
- Armando Rios, ditto on Giants, Anderson, and Bonds. Rios, however tested positive in the minor leagues more stringent PED testing.
- Jeremy Giambi, Jason brother who also obtained drugs from Anderson
- Kelli White, a female sprinter whose testimony sank Tim Montgomery in the world court. She may know about the internal workings of BALCO.
BALCO execs:
- Victor Conte, the mastermind behind BALCO. It is said Conte paid more attention to his track stars like Jones, Montgomery, White, Christi Gaines, etc. However, he is the mastermind behind the BALCO operation.
- James Valente, the VP of BALCO. Testimony in the BALCO grand jury indicated he connected more with the baseball players.
- Patrick Arnold, the biochemical genius who catalyzed the cream (testosterone) and the clear (eventually THG). Arnold may not have actually met Bonds, however could provide background data on the PEDs.
The drug dealer:
- Greg Anderson convicted in the original BALCO proceedings, supplied PEDs to Bonds, and the other baseball players. Anderson was really Bonds' self trained strength coach and drug dealer. He first ascertained steroids and growth from AIDS patients, and through Mexico. Later he graduated to the BALCO operation.
The doctor:
- Arther Ting is Bonds' 'personal physcian (an orthopedist) who apparently accompanied Bonds to BALCO for testing. Ting could be a key witness; he is between a rock and a hard place. Ting is on probation for giving friends and athletes "dangerous drugs", thus he needs to be truthful in court. Ting should certainly know about Bonds PED use, as his doctor, and as a party to BALCO testing. Ting's sons played football at USC, until one was nailed for juicing in 2006.
The Ex and the Ex-best man
- Kimberly Bell, Bonds' paramour during the BALCO years, gave testimony to th BALCO grand jury concerning Bonds PED use. Since that time she was interviewed by Geraldo, and posed for Playboy.
- Steve Hoskins, Bonds best man at one of his weddings, and a childhood friend. The friendship went sour at some point; Bonds turned Hoskins in to the IRS for tax evasion.
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