Toxicologist in Roger Clemons trial says evidence likely contaminated

Houston Chronicle:

Despite a lengthy, contentious battle to admit Dr. Bruce Goldberger as a witness, and U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton limiting the scope of the forensic toxicologist’s testimony, Roger Clemens’ defense team nabbed a victory this afternoon when Goldberger’s testimony cast doubt over key government evidence.

The testimony raised questions about the only physical evidence linking Clemens to the steroid scandal.

The evidence in question is the medical waste kept in a beer can by former Clemens strength coach Brian McNamee, who said the waste is left over from the times he injected the pitcher with performance-enhancing drugs. Both McNamee’s and Clemens’ DNA was found on the evidence, but the defense has argued that the conditions the evidence was kept in lead to cross-contamination.

It’s an allegation Goldberger, a forensic toxicologist at the University of Florida, supported on the stand today. It would be “impossible” to rule out cross-contamination, he said, and added that in his “professional opinion” he wouldn’t rely on the medical waste to determine a source.

“The government’s conclusions are overreaching with regard to the interpretation of this evidence,” Goldberger said. “I have never seen evidence like this being used by the prosecution.”

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I am not a toxicologist, but I have had the same thoughts since we learned that the evidence was stored in a beer can with shots given to others.  In fact, I am surprised it was even admissible.   This is big help to the defense team.  If they have jurors leaning their way, this gives them ammo to hold out for an acquittal.  Judging by some of the questions raised by the jurors, I suspect there are several who are leaning in that direction.