Jury Deliberations Continue in Sioux Falls Murder Trial

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Jurors are deliberating the fate of a man accused of murder, rape and burglary in the death of a Sioux Falls woman last year.

The jury in the trial of 42-year-old Christopher Kryger began deliberations Thursday afternoon after attorneys on both sides gave closing arguments. Jurors stopped after about five hours with plans to reconvene Friday.

Kryger is accused of killing 56-year-old Kari Anne Kirkegaard, who was found strangled in her bathtub on March 16, 2014.

Prosecutors say DNA and other evidence shows that Kryger raped and killed Kirkegaard. Kryger maintains the two had consensual sex and that he didn't kill her.

Prosecutors haven't said whether they intend to seek the death penalty should the jury convict Kryger.

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