Jose Canseco completes testimony before a federal grand jury in Washington

Jose Canseco testifies before DC grand jury

WASHINGTON — Former slugger Jose Canseco says he has told a federal grand jury that he had never seen longtime pitching ace Roger Clemens use steroids.

Canseco maintained the support he’s long held for the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, which he first stated in a March 2008 affidavit. Canseco also told the grand jury on Thursday that never possessed or asked for steroids or human growth hormone.

Brian McNamee, Clemens’ former personal trainer and a star witness, has testified that he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH. Clemens strongly denied the allegations during a 2008 congressional hearing. The grand jury was called to investigate whether Clemens lied during that hearing.

Canseco also disputed McNamee’s account Thursday, telling reporters that McNamee was a liar.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former slugger Jose Canseco completed his testimony Thursday before a federal grand jury, where he was expected to maintain his support for Roger Clemens.

The grand jury has been hearing witnesses as it weighs whether to indict Clemens for allegedly lying to Congress two years ago, when he denied using steroids or human growth hormone.

Canseco previously conveyed his support for Clemens, saying in a March 2008 affidavit he has never seen the seven-time Cy Young Award winner use, possess or ask for steroids or HGH.

One of Canseco’s lawyers has said his client’s testimony Thursday would be consistent with Canseco’s past statements. Canseco originally was set to testify in April but scheduling conflicts delayed his appearance.

Prosecutors have asked a federal grand jury in Washington to decide whether to indict Clemens for lying under oath to Congress in 2008 when the pitcher denied using steroids or HGH.

The grand jury has been hearing from witnesses for at least 16 months as it tries to decide whether a case can be made that Clemens lied under oath in 2008 when he told a congressional committee he had never taken steroids or human growth hormone.

It is not known how many witnesses have come forth or been subpoenaed because the process is secret, but an ex-pitcher (Jason Grimsley), a former gym owner from Texas (Kelly Blair) and a former New York Mets clubhouse attendant (Kirk Radomski) are among those who have passed through the third-floor courthouse doors.

Brian McNamee, Clemens’ former personal trainer and a star witness, testified May 25 before the grand jury.

McNamee, once close friends with Clemens, said in the 2007 Mitchell Report that he injected the 354-game winner with steroids and HGH at least 16 times in 1998, 2000 and 2001. Clemens denied the allegations, and both repeated their conflicting claims at a congressional hearing on Feb. 13, 2008, with Clemens saying: “I have never taken steroids or HGH.”

Lawmakers then asked Justice Department to investigate whether Clemens lied, and the case was brought to the grand jury after an 11-month FBI inquiry. In January 2009, McNamee met for five hours with Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Butler, who is leading the investigation and has been presenting evidence to the grand jury.