The panel of eight men and four women must decide whether Farwell killed Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child specifically to prevent her from reporting a sexual relationship that prosecutors say began when she was a minor and he was grooming her.

Farwell is not charged with murder in the traditional sense. Under federal law, it is a crime to prevent someone from communicating information about a federal offense to law enforcement. Jurors must therefore determine whether Farwell caused Birchmore's death with the intent of stopping her from disclosing the alleged relationship to authorities.

The trial has spanned 19 days of testimony and evidence. One of the central pieces of evidence is lobby video from Birchmore's apartment building showing her entering, followed shortly by Farwell, who wore a mask and a hood pulled over his head.

The defense has argued that Farwell went to the apartment to end the relationship, and that Birchmore took her own life after he left. Prosecutors allege Farwell staged the scene to appear as a suicide. Birchmore was found with a duffel bag strap around her neck.

Outside court on Friday, Birchmore's cousin Barbara disputed the defense account. "I had talked to her that night, so I know it's not true," she said.

Prosecutors also highlighted forensic data showing that after Farwell was seen leaving the apartment, Birchmore's phone never moved or was touched again.

The jury asked to stay late on its first day of deliberations but was unable to because of insufficient staffing. Jurors did deliberate for several hours. It remains unclear whether that request signals a verdict is near.

Deliberations are scheduled to resume Monday morning.