A trial judge who receives jury notes indicating inability to reach unanimity must give a Black direction informing the jury of the power to discharge, even if the eight-hour majority verdict threshold has not been reached. Cryptic or vague responses to jury communications about deadlock or juror commitments may constitute undue pressure sufficient to vitiate the verdict. Where a juror has communicated external commitments, the trial judge must clearly inform the jury of the intended course of action regarding that juror's discharge.
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