Bonds given 30-day extension for appeal brief

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds has been given a 30-day extension until April 20 to file written arguments in his appeal to overturn his obstruction of justice conviction.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the extension Wednesday after it was not opposed by federal prosecutors.

Under the new schedule, the government will have until May 21 to respond. After that, Bonds’ lawyers will have another 14 days to file a reply brief if they so choose.

Bonds’ appeal will be randomly assigned to a three-judge panel that will hear oral arguments this year. A decision is not likely until 2013.

The seven-time MVP was convicted in April on one count of giving an evasive answer to a grand jury in 2003 that was investigating steroids distribution. He was sentenced in December to 30 days of home confinement, two years’ probation, 250 hours of community service in youth-related activities and a $4,000 fine.