Jury picks up deliberations in church fire case

The jury in the trial of a white man accused of burning down a predominantly black church hours after President Barack Obama's election has indicated it is having trouble understanding the concept of "reasonable doubt."

On Thursday, the panel asked U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor for a more detailed explanation, but the judge said he could not provide any more than the standard definition.

The jury on Wednesday said it was unable to reach a verdict on two of the three charges, but the judge told them it was too early for them to be deadlocked.

Michael Jacques is charged with setting fire to the Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield, in what prosecutors say was racist anger over the election of the country's first black president. .

Two friends of Jacques have pleaded guilty.