HARRISBURG -- At least three jurors hearing the Bonusgate public corruption trial wept as they ended a fourth day of deliberation today.

We're turning on each other," one told Dauphin County Judge Richard A. Lewis from the jury box as she and others dabbed their eyes.

"I can imagine it is hard for a jury to announce a unanimous decision," Judge Lewis said. "Juries are able to do that at most times, and we ask that you keep trying."

Jurors are considering 139 criminal charges against four defendants, including former state Rep. Mike Veon, who represented Beaver County and at one time was the second-ranking Democrat in the state House.

Judge Lewis told jurors that deliberation is not about taking a firm stand but about "talking to your neighbors. Sometimes it takes an effort on everyone's part to do that."

The exchange came as jurors ended their 29th hours of deliberations over four days, following six weeks of testimony.

"We're aware of the strain on you, all 12 of you. I'm sure it's a terrible strain," Judge Lewis said.

On trial with Mr. Veon are former legislative staffers Brett Cott, Stephen Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink. All are charged with multiple felony counts of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest.

At the center of the case are allegations that they distributed more than $1.4 million in publicly funded bonuses to state workers in exchange for work on political campaigns. They also are charged with directing legislative aides to do political work on state time, in state buildings and on state equipment.

Earlier yesterday, jurors had asked if they could reveal a verdict on one defendant's charges if they had not yet reached decisions on the others. Judge Lewis said he would prefer to issue all the verdicts at once.

Jurors are expected to continue deliberating at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Earlier in the day, jurors asked Judge Lewis several other questions about their deliberations.

They asked Judge Lewis to clarify the definition of conspiracy and explain how they should consider the actions of employees under a defendant's supervision.

Judge Lewis told jurors that members of a conspiracy can be held accountable for crimes committed by other conspirators.

Jurors also requested copies of Veon campaign expense reports. Those records had been mentioned during testimony of House Comptroller Alexis Brown but had not been admitted into evidence, so Judge Lewis said they are not available to jurors.

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