GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama woman will spend her birthday in court learning whether jurors want her to be executed for running her granddaughter to death.

Joyce Hardin Garrard is due back in court Thursday for the sentencing portion of her capital murder trial. The session will come on her 50th birthday.

A judge told jurors to be ready for closing arguments, legal instructions and deliberations on Garrard's fate.

Jurors will recommend either death or life without parole for Garrard's conviction in the death of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin.

A vote of at least 10 of 12 jurors is required for the panel to recommend death, but a simple majority can recommend life.

The final decision will be up to Circuit Judge Billy Ogletree, who can override jurors' decision.

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