Jurors return Friday for their first full day of deliberations in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial. Thursday they deliberated for about two hours before going home for the day.

A legal expert says jurors face a complex task as they weigh DNA evidence and other key questions in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial.

Miguel Salgureo Olivares' guilt or innocence in the Sept. 2012 death of Faith Hedgepeth is now in the hands of 12 jurors.

After defense attorney James Rainsford surprised the court by stating the defense would not present any evidence, despite there being multiple witnesses for the defense present in the courthouse, the court adjourned for a 20-minute break.

After questioning just one witness, an SBI agent, the prosecution rested its case. The defense then filed a motion to dismiss all charges against defendant Miguel Salguero Olivares, which Judge Keith Gregory denied. Gregory adjourned the court until Wednesday morning to give the defense time to prepare their witnesses.

The defense and prosecution have selected three of the four required alternate jurors. If a fourth alternate juror is chosen before tomorrow’s lunch break, opening statements will commence.

Jury selection will spill into its eighth day on Wednesday in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial, after attorneys agreed on two more alternate jurors on Tuesday. Both sides agreed on a jury of 12 Monday morning, but selecting four alternate jurors is taking longer.

Several more potential jurors were dismissed Tuesday morning as attorneys for the state and defense continued questioning prospective alternates.

The final 12 jurors and one alternate juror were selected on Monday, with three alternates still to be picked before the defense and prosecution deliver their opening statements.

One potential juror was dismissed after he told Judge Keith Gregory he would rather serve jail time for contempt than serve on the jury. Gregory denied him compensation for his failure to acknowledge his civic duty.