The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Judge postpones Conte hearing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 06, 2005

Sport

Sport - Athletics

Judge postpones Conte hearing

SAN FRANCISCO, MARCH 5. A U.S. Government judge postponed a hearing on Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative founder Victor Conte's allegations that federal agents illegally searched his office and wrongly obtained statements from him and another executive.

Conte is accused of steroid-conspiracy charges for allegedly distributing illegal steroids that eventually made their way to as many as 30 baseball, football and track and field stars.

Also indicted last year were Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' weight trainer; James Valente, BALCO's vice president; and Remy Korechemny, a track coach.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston approved the delay on Friday for the March 16 evidentiary hearing a day after Conte fired his attorney and hired two San Francisco white-collar criminal defence attorneys, Mary McNamara and Ed Swanson.

Illston did not set a new hearing date. Outside the courtroom, McNamara told reporters her client obtained new counsel because Conte ``wanted to make a fresh start and refocus his defense. We feel more can be done to oppose these charges.'' — Agencies

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport