Testimony is scheduled to resume Monday in the capital murder case against Joyce Hardin Garrard, after what will be a four-day break from court for jurors.

At the close of testimony Wednesday, Etowah County Circuit Judge Billy Ogletree told the jury there would be no court proceedings Thursday; they were told to report Friday.

Jurors were brought into the courtroom at 9 a.m. Friday, so the judge could explain there would be no court proceedings Friday either.

On both days, Ogletree assured jurors, the delay was as a result of circumstances beyond anyone’s control.

Garrard is charged in the death of her 9-year-old granddaughter, Savannah Hardin. The child collapsed and later died after her grandmother forced her to run for hours, prosecutors say, and pickup sticks or firewood as punishment for lying about eating candy.

Information from the Gadsden Times.