TROY, N.Y. -- Deliberations continue in the trial of Gabriel Vega. He faces a murder charge in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Milligan. Vega is accused of strangling, then setting Milligan and her home on fire on April 3, 2014.
Day 10 of the trial came to an end without a verdict. The jury deliberated for more than eight hours Friday after they were given this case Thursday.
On Friday, the jury had four notes for the judge. In the morning, they asked for the testimony of Kim Virola to be read back to them. She is Vega's ex-girlfriend who told the court Vega confessed to committing the crime to her. They also asked to play back Vega's police video recorded interview.
In the afternoon, two more notes were delivered. One was to hear the testimony of Theresa Rodford, who is the ex-girlfriend of Vanessa Milligan's father, who last spoke to Milligan on the night of her death at 8:45 p.m. They also wanted to hear the testimony of Daisy Harmon again. She lives in the same building as Milligan and heard a loud explosion, then saw flames coming from Milligan's bedroom and did not hear any smoke alarms going off.
The jury's last request of the day was to hear the definition of reasonable doubt.
While this is all happening, the families of Milligan and Vega wait anxiously for a verdict. The 20-year-old Vega is facing charges of second-degree murder, arson and abortion, but the jury could also consider first- or second-degree manslaughter in the case.
The jury will continue deliberations Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.