By David Kravets of the Associated Press
San Francisco
– A judge on Friday declared Steve Williams – the Giants fan who
ended up with Barry Bonds’ 700th homerun ball – the lawful owner,
freeing him to sell the souvenir immediately.
By David Kravets of the Associated Press
San Francisco – A judge on Friday declared Steve Williams – the Giants fan who ended up with Barry Bonds’ 700th homerun ball – the lawful owner, freeing him to sell the souvenir immediately.
That means Hollister resident Tim Murphy will have to watch Williams reap the benefits from the ball, which analysts have valued at more than $100,000. But Murphy indicated he might not be done and his attorney said he may sue Williams for the proceeds.
“The ruling today was only for a TRO (temporary restraining order) prohibiting the sale of the ball. The decision made today had nothing to do with the merits of the case. At this time I’m looking at all my options. Right now, I just want to spend some quiet time with my family,” said Murphy in a statement released by his wife.
Murphy, 40, has claimed he had the ball locked behind his knees while at the bottom of a scrum before Williams swiped it.
“I’m going to sell it as soon as possible,” Williams, a 26-year-old from Pacifica, told reporters after the hearing.
San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay’s decision came after a 90-minute hearing, which included six lawyers repeatedly replaying footage of the 80-second melee.
Murphy was trying to get the judge to block Williams from selling. That would allow a trial by Murphy to win the ball and sell it himself.
Although the judge said he didn’t think there was enough evidence for Murphy to prevail, Murphy’s attorney, David Kornbluh, said he may still continue with the suit.
A second man who said he was the rightful owner of Bonds’ No. 700, Alex Patino, 37 of San Francisco, said Wednesday he was going to sue Williams as well.
Williams’ attorney, Daniel Horowitz, said he and three other lawyers were representing Williams for free. As they stood by an army of news cameras outside the courtroom, Horowitz quipped, “We call ourselves the pro-bono all-stars.”
Free Lance Staff Writer Kollin Kosmicki contributed to this report.
