McVeigh jury to hear closing arguments

DENVER (CNN) -- Closing arguments in the Oklahoma City bombing trial were expected to begin Thursday and the case could be in the hands of the jury by day's end.

As the much-anticipated day neared, relatives of the blast victims lined up outside the Denver courtroom as early as 3 a.m. (5 a.m. EDT), hoping to get a seat for Thursday's hearing.

Court was to begin at 9 a.m. (11 a.m. EDT), with prosecutors delivering their closing arguments. Sources close to the case said prosecutor Larry Mackey would go first and deliver most of the government's arguments.

The prosecution could take as long as three hours to deliver its closing arguments, the sources told CNN.

The defense is to follow, with McVeigh attorney Rob Nigh and lead attorney Stephen Jones each giving arguments. Prosecutor Scott Mendeloff is to get the final word before the judge gives the jury instructions and they begin deliberations.

The jury of seven men and five women is expected to be sequestered through deliberations.

If convicted of murder and conspiracy, McVeigh, a 29-year-old Gulf War veteran, could receive the death penalty for the April 19, 1995, bombing. The blast killed 168 people and injured hundreds more in the deadliest act of terrorism on U.S. soil.

The defense rested its case Wednesday after four days of testimony from 25 witnesses -- a much shorter case than expected that followed a lean prosecution case that saw 137 witnesses in 18 days.

• Newsmaker Profiles: Timothy McVeigh
• Video Almanac: 1995 - Oklahoma City bombing
• Message Boards: McVeigh Trial

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