Prosecutors release Bonds’ voicemails

Published 3:14 am Thursday, March 17, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Wednesday released transcripts and recordings of voicemail messages Barry Bonds left for his former mistress during their nine-year relationship.

They don’t portray Bonds in a flattering light.

Most of the messages show Bonds angrily inquiring after Kimberly Bell’s whereabouts. Prosecutors say the recordings and transcripts are evidence of Bonds’ steroid use because the drugs supposedly induce rage in some users.

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Both sides on Wednesday also agreed on an 18-page questionnaire prospective jurors will be asked to fill out as Bonds’ perjury trial gets underway Monday. The 63 questions will help lawyers and the judge seat an impartial jury. It asks them if they attended San Francisco Giants games in the last five years, if they’ve heard about athletes abusing steroids and whether they “blog” and how often they “use the Internet.”

They also are asked: “Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barry Bonds?”

While both sides have agreed to the wording of the questionnaire, they are sharply divided over whether the jury should hear the recordings Bonds left for Bell. Prosecutors want to play 11 of the voicemails for the panel.