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One Count Dropped in Barry Bonds Case

Prosecutors in the Barry Bonds trial spent over two weeks calling over 25 witness’ to the stand. The home run kings defense team, however, had a different game plan. No witnesses were called to testify by the defense, and jurors will return Thursday morning for closing arguments.

On the same day the federal judge in the trial accepted the governments request to dismiss one of the five counts against the man who broke Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record. Bonds was originally indicted on as many as 15 counts, and that number has dwindled to four.

The charge being dropped acussed Bonds of lying to a grand jury in 2003. Prior to that MLB season, he said he never took anything other than vitamins from trainer Greg Anderson. Anderson has been in jail because he refuses to testify against his childhood friend.

If Bonds is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on each count.

A decision could be made as soon as Friday. This is the same night as the San Fransico Giants home opener. The Giants won a World Series last season and is the team Bonds played for when he set the regular season (73) and career (762) home run records.

ESPN reported that U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said, “We are expecting that you will get this case for decision tomorrow. Tomorrow will be the last day.”