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No verdict in Bob Menendez trial as jury deliberates for second day

Jurors weighing the fate of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, ended their second full day of deliberations on Wednesday without reaching a verdict. They didn't ask the judge any questions or ask for testimony to be read back.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez speaks against Republican tax plan Nov. 3 in Bloomfield, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez speaks against Republican tax plan Nov. 3 in Bloomfield, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)Read moreJulio Cortez

NEWARK, N.J. — Jurors ended their second full day of deliberations in U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez's federal bribery trial Wednesday without rendering a verdict or asking the judge any questions.

The jury of seven women and five men left for the day at 3:30 p.m. and was expected to return Thursday morning.

Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, is accused of accepting free trips on a private jet, vacations in the Caribbean and other gifts in exchange for using his office to advance a donor's personal and financial interests.

The senator denies taking any bribes and says he was only helping his friend and co-defendant, Florida doctor Salomon Melgen.

If the jury doesn't reach a verdict Thursday, it will start from scratch on Monday. That's because the judge has said he will allow one juror to leave for vacation after Thursday's deliberations, and an alternate will have to take her place.