Home Run King (*) Back in Court

The AFP is reporting that Barry Bonds had a pre-trial hearing in his perjury case postponed three weeks, at the request of his lawyers. Bonds is pleading innocent to four charges of perjury and one charge of obstructing justice, due to his denials of performance-enhancing drug use during a grand jury BALCO investigation.

February 29 is the date for the hearing, set by a U.S. District judge. Bonds, the home run king (*) does not have to appear at the session.

"Based upon the parties' stipulation and good cause appearing therefore, it is stated that the status conference on February 8, 2008 is vacated. It is also further ordered that the calendar reflect that the case is on for both motions hearing and status conference on February 29, 2008, and that Mr. Bonds presence is waived," the court papers read.

Bonds has denied any wrongdoing, but faces charges of perjury to the grand jury in December 2003 when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.