The eight week murder trial of Philip Polkinghorne is nearing a verdict, with the jury beginning deliberations this morning. 

The judge summed up the case yesterday. 

The Auckland eye surgeon's accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna; his defence argues she took her own life.  

Herald reporter Craig Kapitan told Ryan Bridge the jury only has two decisions - if it was murder or suicide. 

He says it likely won't be a quick decision, and if the jury need to deliberate past today, court won't sit tomorrow. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

• 'Insulting': Polkinghorne's defence team lambasts Crown's murder accusations
• Philip Polkinghorne trial timeline: A look back as jury set to begins deliberations
• Polkinghorne's lawyer warns against 'emotional vigilantism' as summing up begins
• Polkinghorne's lawyer warns against 'emotional vigilantism' in final push of suicide theory; summing up now begins