Judge Paul Carney told the six men six women panel that they must consider the charge against each of the sisters separately. They had four possible verdicts in each case. Guilty of murder; not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter; not guilty of murder but guilty of accessory after the fact; or acquittal.

On Wednesday evening, on sending them to a hotel, the judge told them he was invoking one of the most awesome of his powers by instructing that they were to be provided with wine for their evening meal.

After lunch on Thursday, Judge Carney informed them that a unanimous verdict was no longer required, an 11-toone or 10-to-two majority verdict would suffice.

That evening, after over eight hours' deliberating, they returned with a question. The jury forewoman said they wanted clarification on the legal definition of provocation, and of self-defence.

Another night of hotel accommodation and that drop of vino with their grub followed.

It was back to the room for Friday, with another break for lunch, afternoon sandwiches and a 4pm smoke break. Then there was a request to hear once more, in greater detail, the legal definition of provocation.

Soon after 6pm, they were back again, looking the worse for wear. The forewoman said they had reached an impasse.

They had majority agreement, but it wasn't as high as 10-totwo or 11-to-one. The judge asked them to continue.

"Five children have an interest in this, so I'm anxious that we reach a conclusion, " he said, referring to the offspring of the accused. "If you have a doubt, resolve it in favour of the accused."

The forewoman consulted with her fellows and asked for another half-hour. "You can have as long as it takes, " the judge replied.

Once they were gone, prosecuting counsel George Birmingham was on his feet. "You have unbalanced what up to now has been a balanced trial, " he told the judge, saying the remark about children was not appropriate. "Let's get real, Mr Birmingham, " Judge Carney retorted, and with that, he rose and was out the door.

The jury were back within the half-hour, pleading exhaustion. They didn't sleep in their own beds for a third night but efforts to resolve their differences proved fruitful when the verdicts were returned at 2.30pm yesterday, following 18 hours and one minute of deliberation.