BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

Jurors are scheduled to resume deliberations at 9 a.m. today at the

Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana in the trial of Eric Bechler, the

Newport Beach man accused of killing his wife during a boating trip in

1997.

The jury began deliberations Jan. 24.

The 10th-floor corridor of the courthouse was more crowded than usual

Wednesday as more members of the media and family members awaited a

verdict from the jury.

Wednesday’s deliberations seemed to go on uninterrupted, with jurors

taking just an hourlong break for lunch. Usually, they also take two 10-

to 15-minute breaks, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

Prosecutors allege Bechler hit his wife, Pegye, on the head and dumped

her in the ocean to collect her $2.5-million life insurance policy.

Bechler has continually pleaded not guilty, saying his wife was swept

underwater by a wave that hit the rented speedboat she was driving while

towing him on a bodyboard.