NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A judge brought the third day of jury deliberations at Melanie McGuire's murder trial to a sudden halt Friday after concerns arose about jurors' exposure to media accounts of the case.

State Superior Court Judge Frederick DeVesa summoned panelists, who had been deliberating for just over an hour, to his chambers one by one and questioned them individually in the presence of prosecutors and lawyers for McGuire.

Before beginning the interviews, which took about two hours, the judge told a courtroom crowded with reporters, the defendant's supporters and the victim's relatives that the move was the result of "extensive media attention that has been brought to the court's attention" as well as "a great number of Internet communications" pertaining to the defendant's guilt or innocence.

DeVesa did not elaborate, but the trial is the subject of a number of blogs and Internet message boards.

The judge did not detail what jurors said in the closed-door meetings, but their answers appeared to satisfy him. He ordered them to return Monday to continue their deliberations. DeVesa brought the jury back into the courtroom after the interviews and admonished them to avoid any conversation about the case. He specifically urged them to tell relatives and friends not to talk to them about any aspect of the case.

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In his comments, DeVesa also referred to a question about circumstantial evidence jurors had sent to him in the form of a note. The judge told the nine women and three men that he would address the issue Monday.

The prosecution is relying on an entirely circumstantial case against McGuire. The 34-year-old fertility nurse is accused in the fatal shooting of her husband, William. The 39-year-old computer analyst's dismembered remains were stuffed in a suitcase and thrown in Chesapeake Bay in 2004.

McGuire faces 30 years to life if convicted.