HOUSTON (AP) — A second day of deliberations awaits jurors in the trial of a Houston woman charged with murder after a 2011 fire at her home day care killed four children who had been left alone.
Jessica Tata (TAH'-tah) is being tried on one of four counts of felony murder. If convicted, she faces up to life in prison.
Jurors were to resume working Tuesday after deliberating about 4½ hours Monday.
Prosecutors say Tata had hot oil on a stove burner and left the children home alone while she went shopping. Three children were injured.
Defense attorneys argue the fire could have been sparked by a malfunctioning refrigerator.
Prosecutors say Tata is trying to avoid responsibility for what she did.
The jury can also find Tata guilty of several lesser charges.
