Menendez 'convinced' he'll be exonerated as jurors continue deliberations

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez says he's convinced he'll be exonerated of bribery and fraud charges.

Jurors finished their second full day of deliberations in Newark on Wednesday without a verdict.

The only request they made to the judge came shortly after they arrived in the morning, when they asked to leave an hour earlier because of "horrific traffic jams" leaving Newark the day before.

Outside the courthouse, the New Jersey Democrat said he feels he'll be acquitted based on the evidence the jury has heard, and that "will be worth waiting for."

The New Jersey Democrat is charged with accepting gifts from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen over several years in exchange for helping Melgen advance his business interests by exerting pressure on government officials. The two men face multiple bribery and fraud charges, and Menendez also is charged with making false statements on Senate forms by not disclosing Melgen's gifts.

The trial is in its 10th week.

The makeup of the Senate could be affected if Menendez is convicted and then voted out by a two-thirds majority, a prospect considered unlikely since it would require more than a dozen Democrats to join the Republican majority.

If Menendez were removed from the Senate, his replacement would be selected by the governor. Democrat Phil Murphy was elected New Jersey governor Tuesday night and will replace Republican Chris Christie in January.