March 23, 2011RATTO ARCHIVEGIANTS PAGEGIANTSVIDEO
Ray RattoCSNBayArea.com
The word among lawyers not connected to the Barry Bonds trial was that Allen Ruby is not someone to underestimate when it comes to the subtle blackjack that is cross-examination.And that was before he slowly squeezed Steve Hoskins Wednesday into a series of corners that probably made Bonds acquittal more likely than it was when former IRS agent Jeff Novitzky finished Tuesday.Ruby wore Hoskins down on a number of points, and caught him first saying that he allowed former San Francisco Chronicle reporter Lance Williams to listen to the phone conversation between Hoskins and trainer Greg Anderson, and then saying he only told Williams about the recording. That alone would make those jurors who werent truncheoned into submission by days end sit and say, Uh-oh, something is starting to smell like the contents of a broken refrigerator here.
RATTO: Bonds vs. Novitzky off to fast start
The problems that remain for those who like to keep score of a trial the way they keep score of a baseball game are that todays seeming defense win (a) may not actually be a win if the jury doesnt want it to be, and (b) still has to explain away the fact that the tape exists and may still be convincing.
VIDEO: Barry Bonds' trial recap -- Day 2
But so far, the prosecution, which seemed to have held its own with Novitzky, took some scars on Hoskins, and are scheduled for more tomorrow. Hoskins will have to rally for this not to end up being a significant triumph for the defense, and another pelt on the wall behind Allen Rubys desk.
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