Bomb Trial Jury Recesses for Night

DENVER — A second day of jury deliberations failed to produce a verdict Saturday in the trial of Timothy J. McVeigh, the former Army soldier accused of bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

“There has been no communication from the jury today, and they are ready to recess,” U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch told attorneys before the jurors were brought into court to be dismissed and taken back to the hotel where they are sequestered.

Jurors appeared tired, but not weary. When asked whether they wanted to deliberate today they all nodded, and some answered, “Yes, sir.”

McVeigh, 29, faces the possibility of receiving the death penalty if he is convicted.

His lawyer, Stephen Jones, said his client remains upbeat.

“I think it’s a victory for the system that the jury is carefully studying the evidence and weighing the important decisions they have to make,” Jones said.

The panel of seven men and five women, which began its work Friday morning, has been given access to the 750 exhibits that were introduced during the five-week trial.

Jones said McVeigh asked him to come to his courthouse lockup late Friday for a talk that lasted well into the night.