A Bloomington jury is now into its eleventh hour of deliberations in the murder of an IU English professor.The fate of a former U.S. Marine accused of killing an Indiana University professor is now in the hands of the jury. Michael Griffin is charged with the stabbing death of Donald Belton.

During closing arguments, prosecutors claimed Griffin killed Belton over his humiliation after a drunken sexual encounter on Christmas in 2009. The defense doesn't deny that Griffin killed Belton but argues it was a case of voluntary manslaughter brought on by "sudden heat."

The jury of five women, seven men and two men alternates have requested dinner as they enter their seventh hour of deliberations.

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The jury has requested a copy of the autopsy report on Belton, 53, who was stabbed 22 times during a confrontation with Griffin. The stab wounds were scattered about his body which could back up the frenzy defense. The confrontation happened 32 hours after a holiday party where Griffin and Belton had sex.Griffin has said the sex was non-consensual, but prosecutors in the case have argued otherwise.

During the trial, Griffin's former girlfriend came forward and said he behaving differently. That report led police to investigate Griffin as the lead murder suspect.

"He would never make a sexual attack on anyone," said Don Belton's friend Mara Miller.

Miller has traveled from Hawaii to witness the trial. Belton was headed to Hawaii that Christmas to visit Miller and her husband but he never made it.

"He was a wonderful person and one of the best writer's I've ever known," Miller said.

The prosecution and defense rested at 11:00 a.m. Thursday. Jurors were taken to the jury room to begin deliberations.

Jurors may be grappling with what to find Griffin guilty of. If they come back with voluntary manslaughter the maximum sentence is 50 years compared to 65 for murder. There is also a possibility the jury could find Griffin not guilty or to report they are a hung jury.

Typically, Indiana convicts typically serve only half the sentence because each good day served under entitles them to a day of credit.