The Blessie Gotingco murder trial has adjourned for the day after a juror failed to turn up to court.
The Crown was expected to close its case today followed by the defence, but that was thwarted by the unexplained absence.
With the delay, it is expected the jury will be deliberating late tomorrow or into Friday.
The 28-year-old man accused of Mrs Gotingco's rape and murder took to the witness box yesterday, where he admitted he had stabbed the North Shore mother while she lay in the back of his car.
He explained that he had done so, while high on methamphetamine, to make it look like she was the victim of "a random attack".
He told the jury in the High Court at Auckland he was aware of the scrutiny he was under while being monitored by a GPS anklet and he knew the police would track his movements to the site where he hit Mrs Gotingco if he had left her there.
The defendant was adamant he had hit the victim in his car accidentally but the Crown suggested he had driven onto the pavement and done so deliberately.
Justice Brewer told the 11 remaining jurors this morning that he would be making inquiries as to where the missing jury member was.
The murder-accused will consider overnight whether he wants to call more witnesses.
By Rob Kidd, NZME. News Service court reporter
