WASHINGTON — Exhibit 52C was the semi-crushed Miller Lite beer can. Exhibit 52D was the FedEx box that once contained the beer can. Then came exhibits of gauze, tissues, syringes, cotton balls and needles, some of which were once inside the beer can, using up letters of the alphabet all the way to X.

For the first time Thursday, the jury in the Roger Clemens trial saw in person the physical evidence that the government says will link the 11-time All-Star baseball pitcher to anabolic steroids, evidence that Clemens’ lawyer has called a “mixed-up hodgepodge of garbage.”

The items were presented on Day 10 of the retrial on charges that Clemens committed perjury when he told Congress in 2008 that he had never taken steroids or human growth hormone. The first trial last July ended in a mistrial.

Prosecutors presented the items methodically during the testimony of federal agent Jeff Novitzky, an imposing figure with a shaved head who has an engaging presence on the stand. Jurors took notes while Novitzky related how he received the items from Clemens’ former strength coach, Brian McNamee, on Jan. 10, 2008.

McNamee, who is expected to take the stand next week as the government’s key witness, has said he injected Clemens with both steroids and HGH.

McNamee said he put the items in the beer can – which he said came from Clemens’ recycling bin – because it was a relatively safe way to carry or dispose of a needle without it accidentally stabbing someone. Clemens was pitching for the New York Yankees at the time.

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Novitzky didn’t directly connect the physical evidence to Clemens – that is expected to happen when the government presents results from a DNA analysis of the material. Clemens’ lawyers have said they will contend that the evidence has been tainted and contaminated because it was stored so haphazardly.

Novitzky gave perhaps an unexpected boost to the government when he answered a question by speaking of a connection he made between Clemens and performance-enhancing drugs. It came during his answer about his 2005 investigation of Kirk Radomski, the former New York Mets batboy who has admitted providing drugs to dozens of players.

Clemens lawyer Rusty Hardin asked whether there was “anything at all” to connect Clemens with Radomski. It seemed as if Hardin was expecting a “no.”

“Yes,” Novitzky said. “There was evidence that his personal trainer, Brian McNamee, was associated with Kirk Radomski.”

The evidence was checks written to Radomski from McNamee to pay for performance-enhancing drugs.


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