Bonds Trial - 1 of 5 Charges Dismissed

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge Wednesday dismissed one of five charges against Barry Bonds at the government's request -- moments later Bonds defense team rested its case without calling a witness.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston approved the request Wednesday morning, which prosecutors made after it became clear the judge was going to rule that they failed to prove a count that charged the home run king with lying when he denied his personal trainer, Greg Anderson, induced him "to take anything before the 2003 season."

Prosecutors argued that charge meant that Bonds would be guilty if found to take have knowingly taken any steroid prior to 2003. But the judge disagreed, ruling that the charge alleged Bonds willfully used designer steroids dubbed "the cream" or "the clear" before the 2003.

Bonds admitted inadvertently taking designer steroids in 2003, but denied any use before then.

The owner of the major league mark for home runs in a season and a career has pleaded not guilty to three charges of lying to a grand jury in 2003, when he denied knowingly using steroids and human growth hormone. He's also charged with one count of lying to the grand jury when he told it no one other than his doctor ever injected him with anything and another catchall charge of obstruction.

However, the defense lost its bid to have Illston strike the testimony of former mistress Kimberly Bell about Bonds' testicles allegedly shrinking — a side effect of steroid use. Bell had raised the issue on the witness stand, but admitted that she exaggerated when she told the grand jury Bonds' testicles shrank by half.

Illston also allowed a tape recording to remain in place between former Bonds business partner Steve Hoskins and trainer Greg Anderson about injecting Bonds.

Defense attorney Allen Ruby then told Illston, "The defense is prepared to rest."

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

Ali wrote:While watching The Daily Show this week one of their moments of zen was footage from the trial, twas a montage of the shrinkage talk