http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5027264&nav=HMO6WASHINGTON A federal court jury in the first trial of the Abramoff lobbying scandal has been sent home, four hours after beginning deliberations.
The judge is deciding whether to dismiss a juror for misconduct.
Former Bush administration official David Safavian (suh-FAY'-vee-uhn) is charged with concealing from ethics officials and investigators that he assisted Republican influence-peddler Jack Abramoff's efforts to obtain two government properties.
Prosecutors argue a female juror should be dismissed because she disregarded the judge's instructions on several occasions and told other jurors she had talked with her father about an issue brought up in trial.
The defense opposes replacing the juror and says the judge should just give jurors a stiff warning to stop all outside discussions.