The jury in a Saint John murder trial will hear final summations on Monday in the case of a teenaged girl accused of killing a 78-year-old man.

Justice Hugh McLellan of the Court of Queen's Bench released the jury on Friday after the defence wrapped up its case. But the judge warned the jury members that Monday could be a long day. He told the seven women and five men to come with packed bags in case they have to be sequestered overnight in a hotel.

Frank Tonge was found laying in a pool of blood in his Damascus home, just east of Saint John, on June 5.

The accused, 16, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, told police she stabbed Tonge in the neck because she was tired of being fondled by him.

Witnesses claim abuse

On Friday, the court heard from four defence witnesses — women in their 40s and 50s who claim they were sexually abused by Tonge as children. One of the women broke down on the stand describing the alleged incidents, which she said ranged from touching through to rape.

The women said there were numerous incidents and that other children were abused as well.

The defence claims Tonge had been abusing the accused for a couple of years, giving her drugs in exchange for kissing, hugging and fondling her, and that she killed him in self-defence.

Three of the women called by the defence said they came forward after hearing of Tonge's murder because the believed it must have involved a sex-abuse victim.

One of the women said she came forward because she was sure the accused girl had gone through what she had endured and she wanted to help her.

None of the women knew the accused.