LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Jurors in Sam Parker’s murder trial reported “regress” rather than progress when they broke for lunch moments ago.

A juror left the courtroom in tears after Judge Jon “Bo” Wood asked about the jury's progress.

The forewoman reported that the vote on malice murder against Mr. Parker had gone back from 9-3 to 8-4. At the judge’s instructions, she did not say how the jury was leaning.

Mr. Parker is charged with killing his wife, former Walker County 911 operator Theresa Parker, who disappeared in March, 2007.

Judge Wood said he would give the jury additional instructions this afternoon after the lunch recess.