SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — One of the five charges in Barry Bonds’ perjury trial has been dropped and the defense has rested without calling a single witness.

Bonds’ attorney Allen Ruby announced the move Wednesday morning, which means the slugger will not take the stand in his own defense against charges that he lied to a federal grand jury by saying he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.

The jury of eight-women and four men was sent home and ordered to return Thursday to begin deliberations after hearing closing arguments and instructions from the judge.

The Bonds team rested shortly after U.S. District Judge Susan Illston dismissed one of the five charges pending against Bonds.

The dropped charge makes things easier for the jury but won’t have a meaningful effect on the punishment Bonds faces if convicted on any of the remaining counts.

Bonds is still charged with three counts of lying to the grand jury and a fourth charge of obstruction.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)