PHOENIX -
Defense attorneys for a woman charged with killing her lover continued their case in a Phoenix courtroom Thursday.
Jodi Arias is accused of fatally shooting and stabbing Travis Alexander in June 2008 at his Mesa home.
The 32-year-old could become the fourth woman on Arizona's death row if convicted.
Defense attorneys have been trying to portray the victim as a liar and cheat who repeatedly deceived his friends and family, claiming he was a devout Mormon saving himself for marriage when he was, in fact, sexually involved with numerous women, including Arias.
On Thursday, the defense questioned a mutual friend of both Arias and Alexander, Travis Freeman.
Freeman was questioned about several trips he took with them, along with the couple's behavior, interactions and dating. He knew Arias and Alexander through the Mormon church.
He said Travis could be flirty with other women while he was with Jodi. He also testified that Travis was well-built and powerful.
While answering questions from the jury, Freeman said Travis was nice to Jodi.
When asked if he ever saw Travis hit Jodi or be abusive towards her, he replied, "No. None whatsoever."
Freeman also described what happened when he called Jodi with the news Travis had been killed.
"When I called, I didn't know what to say, there were no words. It took a minute. I told her that Travis had been found dead and the other end was silent for a moment and I waited after a moment. She became emotional, started to cry on the phone and I talked to her for a minute, but there wasn't anything I could think of to comfort someone over the phone, so after about two minutes, I let her go," said Freeman.
Prosecutors claim Arias killed Alexander in a jealous rage. She says it was self-defense.
Alexander was stabbed and slashed 27 times, shot in the forehead and had his throat slit.
The huge question hanging over this trial is: Will Jodi Arias take the witness stand? Testimony continues Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Daniel Freeman
