Jodi Arias is expected to testify Monday, as jurors try to decide whether she should live or die for killing Travis Alexander.
It's going to be up to the jury to decide if Jodi Arias should be sentenced to life in prison or given the death penalty. On Thursday, jurors heard from the family of Travis Alexander and next week, Arias will take the stand. FOX 10's Steve Krafft takes a look at the challenges the defense faces in saving her life.
Jurors deciding the fate of convicted murderer Jodi Arias were brought to tears Thursday, visibly shaken by dramatic statements from the victim's family members as they described how their lives were ripped apart.
Jurors deciding whether convicted murderer Jodi Arias will get the death penalty heard the victim's brother describe Thursday how he was hospitalized for ulcers, lost sleep and separated from his wife after his brother was killed.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio is responding to critics who said Jodi Arias has a "cushy" jail cell. He's giving the public a firsthand look at her living conditions.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio is responding to critics who said Jodi Arias has a "cushy" jail cell. He's giving the public a firsthand look at her living conditions.
Attorneys for Jodi Arias asked to step down from the case after their client was convicted of first-degree murder, but a judge denied the request, according to court minutes obtained Thursday.
Attorneys for Jodi Arias asked to step down from the case after their client was convicted of first-degree murder, but a judge denied the request, according to court minutes obtained Thursday.
Jurors in Jodi Arias' trial spent Wednesday deciding whether the former waitress should be eligible for the death penalty after they convicted her last week of murdering her lover. And it was a resounding yes.
Jurors in Jodi Arias' trial spent Wednesday deciding whether the former waitress should be eligible for the death penalty after they convicted her last week of murdering her lover. And it was a resounding yes.
Ever since her verdict and interview with FOX 10's Troy Hayden, Jodi Arias has been on suicide watch in isolation. She was unable to see guests during that period.
Ever since her verdict and interview with FOX 10's Troy Hayden, Jodi Arias has been on suicide watch in isolation. She was unable to see guests during that period.
FOX 10's Troy Hayden sat down with Arias moments after she was convicted of murdering Travis Alexander. Here's more of their interview that hasn't been seen yet.
FOX 10's Troy Hayden sat down with Arias moments after she was convicted of murdering Travis Alexander. Here's more of their interview that hasn't been seen yet.
The penalty phase for the Jodi Arias murder trial will get underway next Wednesday. It was supposed to begin Thursday, but court was suddenly canceled.
The penalty phase for the Jodi Arias murder trial will get underway next Wednesday. It was supposed to begin Thursday, but court was suddenly canceled.
By BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) -- A prosecutor hammered Jodi Arias on Tuesday as he worked to poke holes in her numerous stories in the murder case against her, pointing out how she once said the victim blessed the world by his presence and then portrayed him on the witness stand as a violent, womanizing sexual deviant.
Arias has testified for 11 days about how her one-time lover, Travis Alexander, was a controlling, abusive man who persuaded her to perform raunchy sex acts, beat her, once choked her into unconsciousness and constantly berated her, calling her a "whore" and other names.
Yet prosecutor Juan Martinez noted Tuesday how she told authorities, media, friends and family that Alexander was a great person who treated her well, pointing out text messages she sent him just months before she killed him -- she says in self-defense.
"Travis, I thank you for being such an amazing friend. You are a rock, a light and an inspiration," Arias wrote. "I love you dearly."
Martinez remarked how these messages were sent after Arias says Alexander had been physically abusive on numerous occasions.
"This is not in line with the person you have been talking about, is it?" Martinez prodded.
"Yes, it is very consistent with how he was," Arias replied.
"You've been telling us before how he was mean?" Martinez remarked.
"Yes, he also was that," Arias said softly.
She is set to resume testimony Wednesday.
Martinez questioned Arias repeatedly over her numerous lies throughout the investigation. She first told authorities, friends and family that she had nothing to do with Alexander's death. She later blamed it on masked intruders before settling on self-defense.
Arias even sent flowers to the victim's grandmother after she killed him, expressing sympathy for her loss, and attended his memorial service about 10 days after his death. She previously testified she had been working on an alibi to throw off suspicion and avoid being charged, and she was too scared and ashamed to tell the truth.
At the service, Arias wrote in an album for Alexander's family how he was "beautiful on the inside and out."
"This world has been blessed because you have been here," she wrote.
Testimony at times Tuesday turned into a one-sided shouting match between Arias and Martinez over memory problems, with Arias saying his aggressive demeanor and posture was causing her to forget crucial details or provide concise answers.
"I'm not having a problem telling the truth," Arias said softly.
"But you are having a problem answering my questions, right?" Martinez snapped back.
Arias said the prosecutor's anger was confusing her.
In stark contrast to her testimony under questioning by her own lawyers, during which she alternated between poise and tears and recalled precise details of practically her entire life dating back years, Arias recalls virtually nothing under questioning by Martinez.
She often responds to his questions by saying, "sure," to which Martinez loudly snaps backs that he is looking for a yes or no answer.
The barbs have led to numerous private conferences between attorneys and the judge as defense lawyers repeatedly object to Martinez's aggressiveness, accusing him of badgering the witness.
Arias is charged in the June 2008 death of Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home. She says she dated him for about five months before breaking up but continued to see him for sex up until the day she killed him. She says she was forced to fight for her life after Alexander attacked her, but police say she planned the attack in a jealous rage. Testimony began in early January.
Arias has said Alexander invited her to his Mesa home on the day of the killing for sex. His body was found about five days later. He had been shot in the head, suffered 27 stab and slash wounds and his throat was slit.
Of the day of Alexander's death, Arias says he was in a rage, body slamming her and chasing her around his home. She said she grabbed a gun from his closet, and fired it as they tussled, but doesn't recall stabbing him. She says she remembers putting a knife in the dishwasher and disposing of the gun in the desert as she drove from Arizona to see a man in Utah, where she spent the night in his bed kissing and cuddling as she worked to create an alibi and avoid suspicion.
Arias' grandparents reported a .25 caliber handgun stolen from their Northern California house about a week before the killing -- the same caliber used to shoot Alexander -- but Arias says she knows nothing about the burglary. She says she brought no weapons to Alexander's home on the day she killed him, undercutting the prosecution's theory of premeditation.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:05:54 GMT
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:26:29 GMT
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:42:18 GMT
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:28:45 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad today released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line, in the wake of the May 17 derailment
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad today released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line, in the wake of the May 17 derailment
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:05:22 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:37 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:37:14 GMT
Commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment and crash.
Commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment and crash.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:24 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:24:33 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Jodi Arias in court 2/26/13
