The jury in the long running murder trial of Robert Xie have again indicated they are unable to reach a decision, with the judge now saying they can come up with a majority verdict.
Xie has pleaded not guilty to murdering five members of his wife's family at their North Epping home in July 2009.
On Monday, after 11 days of deliberations, the jury again stipulated they had reached an impasse, prompting Justice Elizabeth Fullerton to tell them they can now reach a majority verdict of 11 to one.
"You should continue with the view of reaching unanimity if possible," she told them at the Supreme Court.
"If that becomes or is plainly impossible, but you are able to reach agreement by 11 of you, you may return a majority verdict."
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She said she had not told them of her power to direct a majority verdict until now, but was satisfied it should be invoked at this point.
Justice Fullerton added she could discharge them without a verdict being reached at all.
It's the crown case Xie was driven by "intense bitterness and hatred" when he crept into his brother-in-law Min Lin's home in the early hours of July 18, 2009 and, in the dark, single-handedly carried out the brutal killings.
Wielding a hammer, they say he murdered them both - causing severe crush injuries to their faces.
He is then alleged to have murdered Irene, the sister of Min Lin's wife Lily, before killing his two nephews Henry, 12, and Terry, nine.
Xie denies the allegations.
