Deliberations begin in case stemming from officer's death

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) - A Yuma jury has started deliberating in the trial of a 36-year-old truck driver accused of causing the death of an Arizona Highway Patrol officer.

Jorge Espinoza is charged with second-degree murder, criminal damage and endangerment in the 2013 accident.

Officer Tim Huffman was writing a report at an accident scene on Interstate 8 when his patrol vehicle was struck in a multi-vehicle collision involving a tractor-trailer rig driven by Espinoza.

Prosecutors argued that Espinoza was distracted by looking at his cellphone, while Espinoza's defense said he was blinded by the sun and that DPS did not place adequate signage at the accident scene.

Jurors began deliberating Tuesday afternoon and will resume deliberations Thursday. The judge hearing the case had other court business to conduct Wednesday.