The trial of former baseball superstar Barry Bonds

The trial of former baseball superstar Barry Bonds has begun in a San Francisco courtroom. He is being tried on perjury charges after he allegedly lied to a federal grand jury in 2003 about his steroid use. Bonds was indicted on these charges back in 2007.

The jury selection was finished yesterday, and opening statements will begin today. Over the course of the next three to four weeks, the prosecutors in the case will call a number of witnesses to contradict Bonds's testimony, including one former girlfriend. One Bonds associate, however, is expected to refuse to testify. His longtime friend, personal trainer Greg Anderson, declined to participate in an earlier grand jury hearing on Bonds and served time in prison on contempt of court charges related to the hearing.

The stories and allegations of steroid use by Bonds have cast a cloud over his successful career in major league baseball. He remains the all-time leader in home runs, having broken Hank Aaron's longstanding record in 2007. Shortly after he played his last game in that season, Bonds was indicted on perjury charges.