Jury weighing Jefferson verdict

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 30 (UPI) -- Jurors weighing the fate of former Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., began deliberations Thursday in his corruption trial.

The jury broke for the day after about four hours of discussions in federal court in Alexandria, Va., WWLTV.com, a Louisiana television station, reported. Deliberations were scheduled to resume Friday morning.

Jefferson, 62, is charged with 16 counts involving allegations he took bribes from telecommunications companies seeking to do business in Africa.

In the most spectacular detail in the case, FBI agents reported finding $90,000 concealed in a freezer at his home in Virginia, marked bills given the congressman by an informant.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III gave the jury legal instructions Thursday morning.