A skillful defense lawyer can persuade such jurors to sympathize with the defendant, and to believe that the victim provoked him to lose control.

Some said it also might be difficult to persuade jurors to award large verdicts when there was such widespread surprise at the terrorists' tactics.

It would be difficult for prosecutors to persuade jurors that the attack caused her death.

That approach could persuade jurors that she was selectively - and unfairly - prosecuted.

But there would also be a risk of persuading jurors that all of their top officials are criminals.

Besides, he said, "The point is to persuade jurors that these people on trial were blameworthy, not victims of Koresh."

The charges focus on four transactions, continuing a strategy adopted by Federal prosecutors to present narrow, reasonably straightforward cases that they believe will persuade jurors.

Ideally, factors like legal arguments, testimony, evidence and the informed and private discussion in the jury room should persuade jurors.

The lawyers said the information could have persuaded jurors to impose a life sentence rather than the death penalty.

They will try to persuade jurors that Mr. Lay was simply too good a man to be caught up in fraud at Enron.