"It all comes down to the truth: Federal prosecutors say Barry Bonds flouted it repeatedly. His defense team says the government's case is fibbing.

The clashing narratives highlighted opening statements Tuesday in the perjury and obstruction of justice case against Bonds, baseball's single-season and career home run champion who is ensnarled in a federal investigation of performance-enhancing drugs.

"All (Bonds) had to do was tell the truth, but he couldn't do it," Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Parrella said. "And the evidence will show that he planned not to do it."

"Quite frankly, an unbelievable story," Parrella said, rattling off a series of "lies" by Bonds about steroid use. He referred to Bonds, personal trainer Greg Anderson and Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative founder Victor Conte as the "Three Musketeers" of BALCO.

Parrella said several witnesses — including Bonds' ex-girlfriend Kimberly Bell, his former assistant Steve Hoskins and ex-San Francisco Giants trainer Stan Conte — would attest to Bonds' use of performance-enhancing drugs."