BARNSTABLE, Mass. — Did prosecutors prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Christopher McCowen, or someone acting in concert with him, was responsible for the 2002 slaying of fashion writer Christa Worthington in her Cape Cod beach house?

Jurors wrestled with that question for a second day Wednesday, but so far have been unable to reach a unanimous conclusion about the 34-year-old garbage collector's guilt.

Part of the day — a cold, rainy one — was spent by Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson going over points of law he omitted when he instructed the jury of 12 over two hours on Tuesday.

The judge has refused to disclose the contents of the verdict form, several pages the foreman must fill out once the panel agrees on a verdict, assuming that ever happens. Nickerson himself used the word "complicated" to describe the jury instructions.

Although prosecutors insisted that McCowen went alone to Worthington's home in North Truro on Jan. 4, 2002, jurors were told they could still find him guilty of murder if they believed he was acting in concert with someone else when the 46-year-old single mother was stabbed to death.

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The defense contends that McCowen, who has an IQ just above mental retardation, had consensual sex with Worthington two days before the killing and was only telling overzealous detectives what they wanted to hear when he said he was inside McCowen's house while another man stabbed Worthington.

Jurors were told Tuesday that their collective recollection must be relied on; no transcripts or readbacks of testimony will be provided.

While jurors deliberated, defense attorney Robert George reiterated his belief to Court TV that McCowen is innocent, actually and legally.

Prosecutor Robert Welsh III has not given any formal interviews since delivering his closing argument Monday. Welsh did say that he felt "honored" when he was informed that he had been nominated for a judgeship in Barnstable District Court.

If convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape or aggravated burglary, McCowen faces up to life in prison.

The trial is being streamed live on Court TV Extra.