Waste of money

The Roger Clemens fiasco took an appropriate turn on Thursday, as a federal judge declared a mistrial in the former baseball star's perjury trial and lambasted prosecutors for their conduct.

The U.S. Justice Department has hardly distinguished itself in its handling of the baseball steroid mess. A reasonable case could be made that the prosecutions of Barry Bonds and now Mr. Clemens stem more from the desire of a few vindictive politicians seeking to settle a score than any real effort to attain justice.

Thursday's development did little to rebut that view.

Barely a day into the Clemens trial -- the former major leaguer is charged with lying under oath to Congress when he denied ever using steroids -- prosecutors showed jurors evidence that had been previously ruled out, leading Judge Reggie Walton to grant the defense request for a mistrial.

The judge said he will decide Sept. 2 whether Mr. Clemens will face another trial. He has the option of declaring that a second trial would amount to double jeopardy, which is precisely what he should do. Regardless of what one thinks of Mr. Clemens and steroid use, this is a classic example of government overreach.

This case has already cost millions in taxpayer money -- and for what?

Perhaps it's time some members of Congress quit worrying about Roger Clemens and instead turn their attention to a Justice Department that apparently has trouble properly assessing its priorities.