Moussaoui jury back to deliberation after sick day

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Apr 28 (Reuters) A U.S. jury considering whether to recommend the execution of September. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui resumed deliberation today after a day's break because of a sick juror.

The panel of nine men and three women returned to the courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia -- just a few miles from the Pentagon which was one of the targets of the September. 11 hijackings -- and began its fourth day of deliberation.

The jury did not deliberate yesterday after one of the jurors called in sick.

Moussaoui, a 37-year-old admitted al Qaeda member, has pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy in connection with the September.

11 attacks. The jury has spent about 17 hours so far considering whether he should be executed or sentenced to life in prison.

The French citizen of Moroccan descent is the only person charged in the United States in connection with the deadly hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people.

During testimony in the sentencing trial, Moussaoui said he was meant to pilot a fifth airplane into the White House as part of the Sept. 11 plot. He also said he had no remorse for the hijackings and wished more Americans had died.

The trial began on March 6. In the first phase of the trial, the same jury found that Moussaoui was eligible for the death penalty.

REUTERS CH BST1943