BARRY BONDS SAYS HE WANTS TO SERVE HIS SENTENCE ‘IMMEDIATELY’
San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds reacts to being walked in the fourth inning by the Anaheim Angels during Game 6 of the World Series in Anaheim, CA, 26 October, 2002. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
Barry Bonds said he wants to immediately begin serving his prison sentence after a federal appeals court on Friday upheld a conviction for obstruction of justice.
Bonds, 49, had been convicted of the crime for being evasive during grand jury testimony investigating the use of steroids in baseball.
Bonds made the announcement in an open letter to his fans on his website, saying he has “profound respect and admiration” for America’s justice system.
“Therefore, I have instructed my attorneys to ask the court and probation officials to permit me to begin serving my full sentence and probation immediately,” Bonds wrote on his website.
The former major-league slugger said, however, he still plans “to seek further judicial review of the important legal issues presented by the appeal that was decided today.”
Bonds said he would “like to thank the judges” for their work in the case and and concluded his letter thanking his fans.
“This has been a long and difficult chapter in my life and I look forward to moving beyond it once I have fulfilled the penalties ordered by the court,” he wrote.
“I thank you all again, your prayers and support have given me strength.”