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Jurors in Dippolito trial can't reach verdict, judge tells them to deliberate in the morning

Posted at 6:57 AM, Dec 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-13 22:33:18-05

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Jurors in the Dalia Dippolito retrial will continue deliberating Wednesday morning after they handed the judge a note saying they could not reach a verdict.

Judge Glenn Kelley instructed jurors to return and deliberate on Wednesday, acknowledging that if they cannot reach a verdict then, he will have to read instructions on how to proceed.

Jurors began deliberating at around 11 a.m. Tuesday. They returned to the courtroom twice with questions. First, jurors asked if they could receive transcripts for all of the video and audio recordings presented by prosecutors. The judge denied that request, stating that there are no transcripts submitted into evidence. Jurors also asked if they could receive a copy of the original statement or recording of Mohamed Shihadeh, Dippolito's former lover and the informant to contacted police about the alleged murder plot. The judge also stated that the original statement or recording is not part of evidence. 

Jurors later returned asking to review all of the video and audio recordings in the case. They spent an hour and a half replaying every video presented by prosecutors. Jurors also wanted to know if they could watch the state's rebuttal. The judge clarified that any closing or opening arguments is not part of evidence and cannot be reviewed. 

After nearly 7 hours of deliberating, jurors sent a note to the judge informing him they could not reach a unanimous verdict. Judge Kelley asked jurors to return Wednesday morning and continue deliberating. 
 
The jury, consisting of four women and two men, will have to decide if Dippolito is guilty of trying to hire a hit man to kill her husband. If they cannot come to a unanimous decision, the judge may read instructions for a hung jury. 

Monday’s testimony concluded with the defense giving its closing arguments. Dippolito chose not to testify in her trial.

Before testimony wrapped up Monday, a controversial piece of video made its way into evidence.

Showing a staged crime scene crafted to capture Dippolito's reaction to finding out her husband was dead.

Defense attorneys tried to keep that evidence out of court.