11.   After four alternate jurors were dismissed before the deliberations began, the jury consisted of eight whites and four blacks.

12.   Alternate juror Amanda Keller, a former soap opera star now working as head file clerk, will do anything to get Ashford convicted.

13.   Bringing a new alternate juror into the mix would require the jury to begin anew with its voting on each charge.

14.   But, as alternate juror Anne Layton of Stamford said Friday, too many pieces of evidence pointed to Skakel.

15.   Deirdre Jones, an alternate juror and no relation to the dead girl, expressed surprise jurors were taking so long to reach a decision.

16.   Earlier this month, Hunt excused an alternate juror when he was hospitalized for cardiac tests.

17.   Fifteen alternate jurors still are to be picked, a process that could take until the end of the month.

18.   Finally, though, an alternate juror was seriously injured in an auto accident outside the courthouse and removed from the case.

19.   For the proposition that little lies often indicate bigger ones, he cited the Book of Luke, earning the approval of an elderly alternate juror.

20.   He was replaced by an alternate juror, also a man.