Most Juiced Verdicts: Bonds Cleared of Obstruction Charge
All-time home run leader Barry Bonds' obstruction of justice conviction has been thrown out in a federal court of appeals, as his "meandering answer" given to a 2003 grand jury regarding performance enhancing drugs was determined immaterial to the government's investigation of wide-spread illegal steroid use. That's according to a recent article from USA Today.
He was indicted in 2007 for his testimony related to Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative four years prior. Bonds was said to have given a convoluted answer to a question about his use of a syringe while taking medical treatment. Three other charges related to use of growth hormones and steroids led to a jury deadlock in earlier proceedings.
Travis Tygart, chief executive officer of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, though, said: "I think at the end of the day America knows the truth and who the real home run record holder is, who did it the right way, and it's obviously not Barry Bonds."
Most Head Strong Verdict: Judge Signs Off on Multi-Million Dollar NFL Concussion Settlement
A federal judge has signed off on the final approval of a class-action lawsuit between the NFL and thousands of ex-players. That's according to a story from CNN.
Per the agreement, as much as $5 million, depending on the severity of the injury, may be awarded to reach retired player dealing with medical issues resulting from head trauma caused while playing. Players who retired on or before July 7, 2014, will be eligible for a reward, per the agreement. More than 5,000 players were involved with the class action suit, while 200 players opted out and may bring separate legal action if they choose. According to the story, family members of players who died before July 7, 2014 are also eligible for rewards. Payments will be made in the summer, so long as there is no appeal of the decision, which could extend the case "months, if not years," the story reads. Initially, there was $765 million limit on the settlement, but Judge Anita Brody wouldn't finalize the deal in January of 2014 citing concerns about the amount of money.
Most Personal Verdicts: Hernandez Found Guilty, Could Face Wrongful Death Case
From going deep to going to jail, ex-New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder earlier this month for the June slaying of associate Odin Lloyd, and now may be called to testify in a wrongful death case brought against him. That's according to an article from ESPN.
It is unclear exactly what Hernandez has in assets at this time, although he owns an estimated $1.2 million North Attleborough home where his fiancée and daughter live. Donald Grady an attorney representing Lloyd's mother, also said Hernandez was paid more than $9.2 million of a $40 million contract and is awaiting the outcome of a grievance filed by the players union against the Patriots to determine what other assets he may own. The player’s union claims Hernandez is owed another $6.2 million, while the team says it doesn't own him anything. It is expected any progress toward a wrongful death case will not be for years, according to ESPN.
Most International Verdicts: Australia Doping Case Heading to WADA
Australia's anti-doping agency will not appeal the acquittal of 24 Essendon Bombers, who were found not guilty of using the banned Thymosin beta-4 supplement. That's according to a recent article from Yahoo.
However, the matter will be reviewed further by an international watchdog agency. The Australia Rules football club was initially handed a record fine, barred from the 2013 playoffs and saw their coach suspended for a year as a result of the doping scandal. Also, sports scientist Dank, who was in charge of the team's supplements program, was found guilty by an Australian Football League tribunal on 10 counts of violating league anti-doping rules, including trafficking. The entire matter is being handed over to the World Anti-Doping Agency for review.
Most Radical Verdicts: Tsarnaev Guilty on All Charges
In what was one of the most watched cases in the U.S., a jury determined Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is guilty of 30 counts relating to the Boston Marathon Bombing and now faces the death penalty, according to a report from the Boston Globe.
The 21-year-old Cambridge High School graduate was held responsible for a terrorist attack that killed three and injured 260, with 17 of those victims losing limbs, two years ago. It took 11 hours for the jury to reach its verdict and the trial featured 95 witnesses and more than 16 days of testimony.
The charges included the fatal shooting of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, a carjacking and robbery, and a firefight that led to a police officer's injury. As his fate hangs in the balance, Tsarnaev was recently featured on the cover of the New York Post and was painted by a number of pundits as unrepentant, as he can be seen here giving the middle finger to a security camera while in his cell.