Jury Takes Three-Day Break in Ross Harris Trial: Reports

BRUNSWICK, GA — After three days of deliberations, the jury in the high-profile murder trial of Justin Ross Harris is taking a three-day break and will continue its work Monday morning, according to media reports.

The jurors did not reach a verdict by the end of Thursday, and the judge dismissed them, according to the reports. The jury won't meet again until Monday because the Glynn County Courthouse is closed Friday in observance of Veteran’s Day.

Harris, from Cobb County, is facing eight charges, including malice murder, in the death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper. On June 18, 2014, Cooper was found dead after being strapped into the back of the family SUV for seven hours.

The authorities accuse Harris of deliberately leaving his son inside the hot vehicle. Harris has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison.

Harris has declined to testify in his own defense, according to media reports.

On Thursday, the jurors reviewed security footage of Harris returning to his SUV while his son was strapped in the vehicle, tossing light bulbs inside and walking away, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Prosecutors say the footage shows that Harris intended to kill his only child.

The jury is going through 22 days of testimony from 70 witnesses. Among other factors, it must weigh testimony about the "double life" that Harris led, as both a devoted family man and a serial philanderer, according to MyAJC.com.

For the latest on the Ross Harris case, check back with Patch.