OAKLAND -- Jurors in the trial of an Oakland man accused of four counts of murder and other charges in connection with a six-week crime spree that terrorized Oakland residents three years ago have now deliberated for two weeks without reaching a verdict.

Demarcus Ralls is the first of six so-called "Nut Case" defendants to stand trial in connection with the crime wave in late 2002 and early 2003.

Jurors have been deliberating Ralls' fate since the afternoon of March 7. Jurors met for only half a day today and left Alameda County Superior Court at noon because a juror had an appointment. They will resume their deliberations Wednesday morning.

Jurors have now met for seven full days plus parts of two other days.

In addition to the four murder charges, Ralls faces two counts of attempted murder, 17 counts of robbery, one count of kidnapping and various enhancement clauses.

He also faces two special circumstances clauses that could bring him the death penalty: murder during the commission of a robbery and multiple murder.

If Ralls is convicted of special circumstances murder, he will face a separate penalty phase at which the same jury will choose between recommending either the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Ralls was one of a group of six people who, according to authorities, called themselves the "Nut Cases" because they engaged in crime mainly for thrills. Some members of the group sported tattoos of the Planters "Mr. Peanut" logo.

Oakland police said several suspects told investigators that the gang often played the video game "Grand Theft Auto III" in which players are awarded points for committing crimes such as murders, robberies and carjackings.

Ralls' five co-defendants are expected to be tried later this year and next year.

Some court observers had expected a relatively quick verdict against Ralls because he confessed to at least some of the crimes he's accused of committing.

In his closing argument two weeks ago, prosecutor Darryl Stallworth told jurors "the overwhelming weight of the evidence" supports convicting Ralls.

But jurors haven't come to a decision so far.

Ralls' attorney, Ted Johnson, said in his closing argument that Ralls didn't fire the fatal shots in any of the four murders he is accused of carrying out.

The attorneys in the case are barred from commenting on the protracted jury deliberations because Judge Jeffrey Horner has issued a gag order.