New York ? Prosecutors say they expect to rest their case against Martha Stewart and her former broker next week, and jurors are likely to begin deliberations in the stock-fraud trial in March.

Lead prosecutor Karen Patton Seymour told the judge the government would finish presenting its witnesses before Feb. 20. She said she expected to have a more precise estimate today.

Stewart lawyer Robert Morvillo said he expected Stewart’s defense to take up to three weeks — if witnesses are called at all. Legal experts say it is highly unlikely Morvillo will gamble by not offering his own witnesses.

The lawyers gave U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum their estimates as court concluded Wednesday. The trial, in recess Thursday for Lincoln’s birthday, was to resume this morning.