Judge in Clemens Perjury Case Is Concerned About Social Media Criticism of Witnesses
A federal judge imposed a gag order to prevent participants in the perjury trial of baseball pitcher Roger Clemens from talking about the Washington, D.C., case.
But that doesn’t preclude audience members from using social networking media to say what they think about witnesses, to the dismay of U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, the Boston Globe’s Extra Bases blog reports.
As jury selection concluded today and the trial is about to get under way, Walton said he was disturbed by comments reportedly made by Clemens’ relatives about the government’s star witness, according to the New York Daily News.
In response, the Globe says, defense attorney Rusty Hardin told the judge, “It’s been extremely difficult for Mr. Clemens to put up with what some of the bloggers are saying” about him, too.
A New York Times article provides more details about the 10-woman, two-man jury and notes that opening arguments are expected to begin tomorrow.
Additional coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Clemens’ Not-Guilty Plea is 1st Step in Expected Perjury Trial Saga”
ABAJournal.com: “Why Roger Clemens’ Defense Lawyer Is Greeted with Shouts of ‘Screw You, Rusty’”
