No Verdict After Day of Deliberation in Double Murder Case

After a day of deliberations, the jury in the double murder case of truck driver recessed without a verdict Thursday afternoon.

A scheduling conflict precluded the panel from resuming Friday, so deliberations will resume Monday morning, authorities said.

Costa's out-of-control big rig killed two people on Apr. 1, 2009, when the 25-ton vehicle raced without brakes down Angeles Crest Highway.  The 18-wheel car-carrying semi truck slammed into a car driven by Angel Posca, 58, of Palmdale. , died instantly. The truck rammed other cars and injured several people before careening into the former

Costa, 46, is charged with two counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, along with three counts of reckless driving causing injury. If convicted of all charges, he faces 39 years to life in prison.

Deputy District Attorney Carolina Lugo made her closing argument Tuesday, with defense attorney Edward Murphy arguing his final points Wednesday.

Lugo said the experienced truck driver showed wanton disregard for human life by traversing mountainous roads through the Angeles National Forest. Costa's overheated, smoking brakes eventually failed about a mile north of La Cañada. Murphy countered that the wreck was a and that Costa, a pastor of 20 years, is not criminally culpable for the deaths and injuries--but that the steep grade of the Crest, without a runaway truck ramp, was to blame.