Mark Geragos, who called the first four defence witnesses on Friday, said he did not think the Hollywood star would need to take the witness stand.

"I don't think so, I feel pretty good where we're at right now," he said.

She denies trying to steal more than $5,500 (£3,500) of designer goods from the exclusive Saks department store in Beverly Hills.

He said he would bring her down one way or another

Michael Shoar Defence witness

On Friday, Mr Geragos alleged that a key witness fabricated evidence out of resentment at the Hollywood star's success.

Defence witness Michael Shoar said the security chief at Sak's, Kenneth Evans, confessed to wanting to "nail" the star of Girl, Interrupted and Mr Deeds.

"He mentioned that he will basically nail that rich Beverly Hills bitch for shoplifting charges," Mr Shoar told Beverly Hills Superior Court.

Prosecutor Ann Rundle immediately challenged Mr Shoar's evidence, suggesting that he himself had an axe to grind as a former employee of the store who was suing it on an unrelated issue.

'Out of control'

Mr Shoar, who was not working at the store when Ms Ryder was challenged, said Mr Evans confided in him shortly after her arrest on 12 December 2001 that he was "making up evidence".

The case could finish as early as Monday.

Ms Ryder - who is charged with grand theft, commercial burglary and vandalism - could face three years in jail if convicted.

Her lawyer has suggested the incident at Saks was a misunderstanding and that, recognising Ms Ryder, the staff at Saks "got out of control".