Roger Clemens No Longer Must Fear a Conviction Thanks to Anthony Corso

The government does not have a strong enough case to prevent a reasonable individual from realizing that, in its case against Roger Clemens, there is reasonable doubt.

The latest government witness, Anthony Corso, testified today, May 29 at the circus referred to as Clemens' trial. Corso contradicted himself at worst and created confusion at best.

According to CBSSports.com wire reports, in 2002, Corso said Clemens' trainer, Brian McNamee, told him that Clemens was one of the athletes getting positive results from HGH.

Corso testified that around 2005, he had asked McNamee about a newspaper article dealing with performance-enhancing substances. Corso followed by claiming McNamee wanted him to use HGH.

As part of the sell, McNamee told Corso about the positive benefits ballplayers had received from HGH.

Here comes a confusing statement by Corso. He claimed McNamee never told him about giving steroids to players.

When the Mitchell Report became public in 2007 and revealed McNamee's role, Corso asked why McNamee hadn't told him about his dealings with players, Corso told jurors, "He said it was none of my business."

When responding to a juror's question about the can of "evidence" that contained syringes, Corso responded that Clemens' name never came up in connection to the syringes.

After he was dismissed as a witness, the government was forced to recall Corso because their case, already shaky, was starting to resemble the 2003 Detroit Tigers (43-119).

Prosecutor Steve Durham said Corso told a grand jury that McNamee did mention Clemens and the syringes. Corso said he didn't recall.

There is almost no doubt that there is enough reasonable doubt to prevent a guilty verdict.

One consequence of Clemens defending his legacy is that he had hurt it. Too many Americans don't have the time or inclination to question the government. They may have too much faith in the government.

A second consequence is that the government, first by bringing the case to trial and then by embarrassing itself, is tarnishing the image of the greatest country in the world.