Jurors in the death penalty trial of Zacarias Moussaoui adjourned today without reaching a verdict and will return on Monday to deliberate in the only US case related to the September 11th attacks.
The jury of nine men and three women have been deliberating for about 21 hours since Monday afternoon.
Earlier today, one juror was admonished by US District Judge Leonie Brinkema for looking up the word "aggravating" in the dictionary, but the judge said it would not impact deliberations.
The word "aggravating" is a key word contained throughout a lengthy form that jurors must fill out in reaching a verdict. The uncertainty on the part of the juror could indicate the panel is having trouble reaching agreement.
They must weigh "aggravating factors" against "mitigating factors" to decide if Moussaoui should be executed or sentenced to life in prison and must be unanimous if they recommend the death penalty.
Moussaoui, 37, has pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy in connection with the September 11 attacks. The jury resumed deliberations on Friday after a day's break when one of the jurors called in sick.
On Tuesday, the jury asked Brinkema for a dictionary but the judge refused, saying she would not allow "extraneous" reference material in the jury room.
On Friday, Brinkema re-read her initial instructions to the jury and told them "aggravating also means to make something worse."
The government has accused Moussaoui of various offenses, and has included aggravating factors that make them worse and would support imposition of the death penalty.
Moussaoui testified he was meant to pilot a fifth airplane into the White House as part of the Sept. 11 plot. He also said he had no remorse for the hijackings and wished more Americans had died.