Pol jury: What is a senator?

NEWARK — The jury in the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez concluded its first full day of deliberations Tuesday without a verdict, but not before asking a question that had some in the courtroom scratching their heads.

A juror asked the judge Tuesday to read back part of Monday’s closing argument by the New Jersey Democrat’s lawyer that dealt with the definition of a senator.

The judge declined, saying only testimony can be read back and closing arguments aren’t testimony.

Menendez (photo) is charged with accepting gifts such as flights on a private jet and luxury vacations from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for political influence.

The juror’s question could have been referring to the fact Melgen isn’t a New Jersey resident. Prosecutors have argued that since he wasn’t a constituent of Menendez’s, that showed Menendez was influenced by the alleged bribes. Defense attorneys argued Menendez routinely helped people based on issues and not geography.