The jury in the Braintree double murder trial are due to continue considering the case tomorrow.
David Oakes is accused of murdering his former partner and two-year-old daughter at their home in the town's Bartram Avenue last summer.
The 50-year-old former bouncer has told his trial former partner Chrissie Chambers shot and killed their daughter Shania.
In the struggle over the shotgun that followed, Oakes has claimed Mrs Chambers, 38, died as he struggled to get the gun from her and he received a serious wound to his face.
But the prosecution at Chelmsford Crown Court has alleged the murders took place as Oakes could not face the fact his relationship with Mrs Chambers was over.
Oakes, from the Steeple Bay caravan park, Canney Road, Steeple, denies murdering his former partner and their daughter on June 6 last year.
Trial judge Mr Justice Adrian Fulford sent the jury of seven men and five women out to consider their verdicts at 10.20am this morning.
The jury returned to court at 4.30pm and have been sent home for the evening.
The trial continues.
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