A Vancouver judge on Tuesday began giving instructions to the jury for deliberation in the murder trial of Kelly Ellard.

The 21-year-old woman is charged in the 1997 murder of Victoria teenager Reena Virk. Her first trial was in 2000.

Justice Selwyn Romilly advised jurors not to let emotions or sympathy for either the victim or the defendant influence them.

Virk's violent death could prompt a "feeling of prejudice or partiality against any person, in this case the accused, who is alleged to have caused her death," warned the judge.

He also cautioned against feeling sympathy for the accused because she is young and has no criminal record.

He told jurors their verdict must be based on evidence.

The judge estimated it would take more than one day to review his 165-page summary of evidence and instruct the jury on the principles of law.