Bonds' Defense Calls No Witnesses

In a surprise move, defense lawyers told the federal judge presiding over the perjury trial of Barry Bonds in San Francisco Wednesday that they will rest their case without calling any witnesses.

Defense attorney Allen Ruby told U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, "The defense is prepared to rest."

Closing arguments in the trial, now in its third week, are now scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The defense decision to rest its case came after Illston dismissed one of four perjury counts pending against Bonds.

The charge was challenged by defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed Wednesday to dismiss it.

Bonds still faces three other counts of making false statements and one count of obstructing justice in 2003 testimony before a federal grand jury that was investigating the distribution of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

--Bay City News