Jurors in the case of Andre Ruddock have been sent back by Judge Leighton Pusey to deliberate again following a 5-2 verdict split among the seven-member panel.

Jurors had indicated to the police at 1:25 that they were ready to deliver a verdict.

When they returned to the courtroom, it was not revealed whether the majority had voted to convict Ruddock or not, only that the verdict was not unanimous.

They were then sent back by Pusey, who indicated that a divided verdict cannot be accepted until they have spent at least two hours in the jury room deliberating.

Ruddock is on trial for murder in relation to the October 17, 2021 killing of 39-year-old Taneka Gardner.

It is alleged that Ruddock cut her throat at the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in St James on instructions from his then-pastor, Kevin Smith.

There were 13 witnesses in total in the case. Twelve appeared in the witness box, and one witness was agreed by both the defence team and the prosecution, which meant that statements and documents from that particular witness were admitted into evidence without him having physically appeared in court.

READ: Jurors in Andre Ruddock murder trial begin deliberations