Bonds, who is charged with perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury about his steroid use, appeared briefly in federal court after prosecutors raised conflict-of-interest concerns about defense attorneys Allen Ruby and Cris Arguedas.
Bonds, dressed in a baggy, light blue suit, stood erect in front of the judge with his hands on the podium.
Speaking softly in response to a series of questions by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, baseball's home run king said he wanted the two lawyers to represent him, even though lead attorney Ruby had earlier represented Bonds' personal surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting and Arguedas represented former track star Tim Montgomery.
"The concern is that their prior representation may impact their representation of you," Illston said.
Illston did not immediately rule on whether to disqualify Ruby and Arguedas and asked Bonds to file a written declaration by Jan. 4, though she appeared inclined to let Bonds keep the lawyers.
Bonds answered "yes" when the judge asked him if his lawyers explained their potential conflicts before he hired him earlier this month. Bonds' longtime criminal defense attorney Michael Rains also told the judge he explained to Bonds the conflict issues.
Bonds declined to comment as he left court, this time through a smattering of media much smaller than the crushing, chaotic scene of his arraignment Dec. 7.
Prosecutors said Montgomery likely won't be called to the witness stand, but they said in court papers they probably will call Ting as a witness at trial. They're concerned Ruby won't conduct a rigorous cross-examination of the doctor.
