Judge declares mistrial in Clemens' perjury case

WASHINGTON (AP) — The judge declared a mistrial today in baseball star Roger Clemens' perjury trial after prosecutors showed jurors evidence that the judge had ruled out of bounds.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said Clemens could not be assured a fair trial after prosecutors showed jurors evidence against his orders in the second day of testimony.

Judge Walton scheduled a Sept. 2 hearing to determine whether to have a new trial. He told jurors he was sorry to have wasted their time and spent so much taxpayer money, only to call off the case.

"There are rules that we play by, and those rules are designed to make sure both sides receive a fair trial," Judge Walton told the jury, saying such ground rules are critically important when a person's liberty is at stake.

He said that because prosecutors broke his rules, "the ability with Mr. Clemens with this jury to get a fair trial would be very difficult if not impossible."