Bonds pleads not guilty

SAN FRANCISCO – Barry Bonds pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of obstruction of justice and four counts of perjury that stem from his denying in front of a grand jury that he knowingly used steroids, setting up a legal showdown with the federal government.

No trial date was set in the 25-minute hearing. Michael Rains, one of Bonds' attorneys, said that if the case goes to trial, he thinks it would take place next fall or winter. The next status hearing for the case is scheduled for Feb. 7.

Wearing a dark blue suit and accompanied by his wife, Bonds stepped from a black sports-utility vehicle and waded through a crush of reporters and onlookers outside the Phillip Burton Federal Building. He went through the metal detectors and waved to the crowd before stepping into the courthouse elevator and heading to the 19th floor, where the charges were read and Bonds entered his not guilty plea.

Bonds also waived his right to a speedy trial, an indication that his legal team is in no hurry.

Bonds was indicted on the felony charges Nov. 15, and the arraignment Friday in U.S. District Court was Bonds' first court appearance since 2003, when he testified in front of the grand jury that heard testimony and reviewed evidence about the illegal distribution of steroids through the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). During that court appearance four years ago, Bonds reportedly testified he might have used steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs but did not do so knowingly.

Therein lies the crux of the case: Not whether Bonds ever used steroids or performance-enhancing drugs, but whether federal prosecutors can prove he did so knowingly.

Prosecution is expected to begin sharing evidence with Bonds' legal team next week. However, prosecutor Matthew Parrella said the government had discovered a potential conflict of interest with Bonds' attorneys, some of whom may have represented witnesses in the case, which could delay sharing of certain evidence. It is unclear when and how that potential conflict would be resolved.

One of Bonds' attorneys, Allen Ruby, said in a post-hearing news conference that the defense plans to file a motion to dismiss the case on "the face of the complaint." Ruby declined to elaborate, but legal experts said the motion to dismiss means Bonds' attorneys will attack the case on procedural grounds.

"The last thing Barry Bonds wants is a trial," said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and now professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. "… It's not that he's afraid of one. It's just so much better to get it kicked out earlier."

Unlike Marion Jones, the disgraced track star who agreed to a plea deal in the face of charges she lied during the BALCO investigation about her use of steroids, Bonds remains steadfast in his vow to fight similar charges.

The plea deal may keep Jones out of prison, but Bonds appears ready to risk incarceration in an effort to prove his innocence. Legal experts have predicted Bonds would serve no more than two years in prison if convicted, but the charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years.

Levenson said the key issue is who the government has lined up as witnesses, who are expected to include Bonds' former girlfriend, Kimberly Bell. The government is expected to introduce documents that show Bonds tested positive for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, based on the indictment.

"Are they putting this case together just with the paperwork, or do they have living, breathing, convincing witnesses?" Levenson asked. "Also, what's really important is the girlfriend and whether her testimony will hold up and what attacks will be made on her."

Bell, who has accused Bonds of using steroids knowingly, posed nude for Playboy magazine in a photo spread accompanied by a story about her six-year relationship with Bonds.

But Greg Anderson, Bonds' former trainer, and those who know Anderson may figure just as prominently, Levenson said. Bonds suggested during his testimony that he could have used creams and oils he got from Anderson without knowing the substances were steroids or performance-enhancing drugs.

Anderson spent more than a year in prison for refusing to testify before the grand jury and he will not cooperate with the government, his attorney has said.

Despite his status as baseball's career leader with 762 home runs, Bonds is a free agent after the San Francisco Giants cut him loose this fall after 16 seasons.

Yahoo! Sports' Jonathan Littman and the Associated Press contributed to this report.