Jury in Dugan case sequestered

WHEATON, Ill. (AP) — Despite an initial report that a verdict had been reached, the jury deciding whether Brian Dugan should receive the death penalty for the 1983 rape and murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico (nihk-AIR'-ih-koh) will keep deliberating.

Court officials called reporters and the Naperville girl's family to the courtroom of DuPage County Circuit Court Judge George Bakalis late Tuesday night with a report that a verdict had been reached. But after a delay of about 15 minutes, it was announced that the jurors were not ready.

Bakalis ordered the jurors sequestered for the night and told them to resume deliberations Wednesday.

Dugan pleaded guilty to Jeanine's death in July. Dugan has been serving life prison sentences since 1985 for two other unrelated murders.