Jail sentence urged for Bonds By QMI Agency

Former San Francisco Giants baseball player Barry Bonds. (REUTERS/Stephen Lam)

Government attorneys are seeking a 15-month prison sentence for Barry Bonds. In court papers filed late Thursday night, they urge a federal judge to mete out the punishment.

The federal prosecutors sought the punishment in lieu of probation for Bonds' conviction last April for obstructing justice through evasive testimony in the BALCO steroids case in December 2003.

Prosecutors said Bonds lied to the grand jury in denying knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs.

A federal probation officer had recommended probation because other sports stars had avoided jail in similar cases.

Prosecutors argued against the leniency, saying Bonds' actions were part of a "calculated plan" designed for distraction.

Bonds' sentencing is set for Dec. 16.