Bonds files appeal of obstruction conviction

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Barry Bonds is officially appealing his felony obstruction conviction.

His attorneys paid $455 and filed a one-sentence notice to the federal trial court late Wednesday, saying that Bonds was asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal to toss out his conviction. The case will be randomly assigned to a three-judge panel later.

Bonds was sentenced Friday to 30 days of house arrest, two-years of probation and a $4,000 fine. But U.S. District Judge Susan Illston delayed imposition until the appeal is resolved.

Bonds appellate attorney Dennis Riordan estimated it could take as long as 18 months for a decision.

Bonds was convicted of giving an evasive answer to a grand jury investigating a Northern California-based steroids distribution ring.