Bonds pleads not guilty

SAN FRANCISCO – Barry Bonds let one of his six lawyers say the words: “Not guilty.”

No courtroom drama, no surprises.

Flanked by an entourage of lawyers and family members, baseball’s home run king smiled, waved and made eye contact with fans Friday as he made his first court appearance since being charged with lying under oath about using steroids.

Bonds’ new lawyer entered a not guilty plea in U.S. District Court to the four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice contained in the Nov. 15 indictment.

Afterward, defense attorney Allen Ruby didn’t waste any time, saying he would soon ask a judge to toss out the case because of “defects” in the indictment. He declined to elaborate.

If convicted, legal experts say Bonds could spend up to 2 1/2 years in prison.

The 43-year-old said little during the 30-minute hearing. He appeared relaxed as he smiled and chatted with his cadre of six attorneys. He then stood before the judge with his hands clasped behind his back and said: “I’m Barry Bonds.”

He was allowed to go free without posting any bail, but if he violates the terms of his release or misses any required court appearances, he’ll forfeit $500,000. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Feb. 7, but Bonds might not have to attend.

The indictment charges Bonds with lying when he testified he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs, even though prosecutors say he flunked a private steroids test in 2000.

Investigators also say they seized other evidence, including an alleged “doping calendar” maintained by Bonds’ personal trainer Greg Anderson, who spent about a year in jail for refusing to help investigators.