(12/19/07) RIVERHEAD ? Jurors in a racially charged Miller Place shooting finished their first day of deliberations Wednesday.

Investigators say John White, 53, fatally shot 17-year-old Daniel Cicciaro in August of 2006. White claims the teen and his friends came to his home with the intent of harming his son, Aaron, following a fight at a party.

Prosecutors contend White, a black man, intentionally shot the white teen in the face. White says he feared being attacked by a lynch mob. He claims the gun went off accidentally.Cicciaro?s family stood outside the courtroom holding a picture of him at the prom. The family says Cicciaro has been unfairly described as a racist and is hoping for a manslaughter conviction.

On Tuesday, the judge ruled the jury could consider the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide. That charge is a misdemeanor that carries a prison term of up to a year. If convicted of manslaughter, White faces five to 15 years in prison.The jury sent a few notes to the judge during its first day of deliberations, which both sides say is a sign jurors are taking the responsibility seriously.

Associated Press wire reports contributed to this story.

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