A jury has finished its second day of deliberations without a verdict in the trial of a former southern New Jersey police officer charged in the shooting death of a friend.
The panel got the case Tuesday afternoon and deliberated for a few hours. They continued their talks on Wednesday and will resume deliberations Thursday.
Defense lawyers have urged the Gloucester County jury to acquit James Stuart of murder and manslaughter charges. They say the January 2013 death of 27-year-old David Compton was a "tragic, horrible accident," not an intentional act.
Prosecutors disputed that claim, saying the former Deptford officer acted recklessly and was criminally responsible for the death.
The shooting occurred in Stuart's Deptford home. He was off-duty at the time.
Mutual friends have testified the two were close.
