The six men and six women sent out a note this morning asking for two things -- first, a copy of the oath they took when they were seated, and second, instructions on how to fill out their verdict form if they can't reach a unanimous decision on a certain count or counts.

Zagel said he would provide the oath and offer directions on how to complete the forms.

The jury's request for a copy of the oath could signal a new level of division within the group.

The prosecution pushed the judge to send an additional instruction asking the jury to "make every effort to make a unanimous verdict" -- but Zagel declined.

Instead, the judge said he would send a note stating, "I remind you that in addition to the oath, you have my instructions, which must govern your deliberations and decisions."

Zagel recognized that these questions show a verdict is near.

"Because the tenor of the note indicates there is at least a possibility a verdict may be returned this week, I've entered an order requiring the defendants to be no more than a half-hour journey to the courthouse," the judge said.

Attorneys filed into Judge James Zagel's courtroom at around 11:35, after beginning the hearing in a private room with the defendants on the phone.