Friday, May 24, 2013

Jodi Arias Jury Speaks

[update June 11, 2013]

Arias jury foreman voted against death penalty by Mike Watkiss azfamily.com


[update June 6, 2013]

Arias trial: Transcripts of juror questions unsealed By Michael Kiefer, The Republic | azcentral.com


[Original post]

Juror #18

Video of interviews and other links regarding Juror #18 and Jury Foreman William Zervakos:

>> The Executioner With The Public Face statement from Richard Zervakos, son of Jury Foreman William Zervakos on tumblr.com

>> Full interview: Foreman of the Jodi Arias jurors from FOX 10 Phoenix

>> Jodi Arias Jury Foreman Speaks On Deliberations from Inside Edition

>> Jodi Arias Jury Foreman: '18 Days of Testimony Hurt Her' GMA interview from ABC News

>> Arias jury foreman: "I don't think she proved to be a very good witness" from azcentral.com

>> Jodi Arias juror interview: Foreman speaks out about trial, trouble in sentencing phase from ABC 15 (Phoenix, AZ)

>> Jury foreman says life or death decision unfair By Brian Skoloff at the Associated Press

>> Jury Foreman for Jodi Arias - Crime Writer Inside the Courtroom By Camille Kimball


Juror #6 (voted "Death")

Diane Schwartz, mouthed "I'm sorry" to Travis' family after verdict was read and gave interviews. She appeared on Dr. Drew @DrDrewHLN on May 28th and gave these interviews earlier:

>> Exclusive: Jodi Arias juror 6 answers your twitter questions: Jodi Arias juror number 6 sits down for one-on-one conversation with Chris Williams @chriswnews from azcentral.com

>> Exclusive interview with Jodi Arias juror who voted for death penalty: Jodi Arias juror number 6 sits down for one-on-one conversation with Chris Williams from azcentral.com


Juror #16 (voted "Death")

>> Arias juror No. 16 says she feels relieved, satisfied By Allyson Blair from CBS 5 Arizona


3 Jurors (all voted "Death")

Jurors Diane Schwartz (Juror #6), Kevin Spellman (Juror #13), Marilou Allen-Coogan speak with ABC News:

>> Jodi Arias Jury Members' 'Trying Experience' from ABC News

>> Jodi Arias trial: Jurors Diane Schwartz, Kevin Spellman, Marilou Allen-Coogan speak out about trial from ABC15.com Phoenix


Juror #? (voted "Death")

Marilou Allen-Coogan appeared on ABC with Diane Schwartz (Juror #6), Kevin Spellman (Juror #13) at links above.

>> Jodi Arias trial update: Juror Marilou Allen-Coogan speaks out, says she didn't believe Arias By CNN from wptv.com


Alternate, Juror #17

Tara Kelley was an alternate juror and did not deliberate but remained present, along with the other alternates for the last two phases in case she was needed. She appeared on Dr. Drew @DrDrewHLN on May 28th and has been tweeting from @tarakelley320.

May 29:
Wild Interviews ‘The Manicurist’ Tara Kelley, Juror In The Jodi Arias Trial First ever “Twinterview” (Twitter interview) with special guest Tara Kelley, Juror 17 from the Jodi Arias Trial aka “The Manicurist.” from Wild About Trial

May 26:
@chrisbr40: @tarakelley320 I wish u had made final 12! Your "after all the lies" question was my fav of all jury q's & I prob enjoyed ur others too :)

@tarakelley320: @chrisbr40 wow thank u!! I wish I could have been too!!
...

@chrisbr40: @tarakelley320 what about how #JodiArias looked at the jury when answering each question, even just to say "no". Did that bother you?

@tarakelley320: @chrisbr40 I understood it was probably their strategy! Didn't phase me i was at the other end anyway!


more in special sections here:

>> Latest Videos for Jodi Arias from azcentral.com

>> Special Section: Jodi Arias Trial from CBS 5 Arizona

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Final Jury Instructions: Penalty Phase

The final jury instructions were read by the judge, starting at the opening of the penalty phase and finished them after closing rebuttal arguments by the defense.

This reading and the arguments for the first part of this day has been transcribed here: TRANSCRIPTION: JODI ARIAS PENALTY PHASE – DAY 1 – PART 1 by TxJan1971 Registered User at websleuths.com

The first video shows the first part of the instructions and will begin to play when the instructions specifically address "unanimous decisions" at about 0:14:00:


Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

This second video shows the judge reading the last part of the jury instructions, beginning at about 0:08:30:


Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Additional instructions are added on the next day, May 22, 2013 during a closed session which was later provided to the public and the media from a replay of this closed session on a computer screen. The video begins when the judge starts to discuss the additional instructions:


Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Jodi Arias Allocution

Jodi Arias' statement to the jury is transcribed below.

Before Jodi begins her allocution, Judge Sherry Stephens tells the jury that Patti Womack was not available to testify but does not give any explanation. Jodi mentions this in her statement. The jury was never told why Darryl Brewster did not testify and the defense did not call any witnesses to testify on Jodi's behalf in this phase.


Jodi Arias Penalty Phase - Day 3 - Part 1 (Jodi Arias Allocution)
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Judge Sherry Stephens: Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Arias had intended to present the testimony of Patricia Womack. Miss Womack was supposed to testify regarding the abusive environment Miss Arias grew up in as well as the abuse she suffered as an adult. Miss Womack is unavailable to testify.

Ladies and gentlemen, the defendant will now speak to you. This statement is not made under oath and is not subject to cross examination.

Miss Arias, you may proceed.

Miss Arias, please wait to begin. One of the jurors needs to...have a new headset.

You may proceed.

Jodi Arias: Thank you.

Some months back, while the first phase of this trial was ongoing, my Mom visited me just like she had been doing every week since trial began. She told me that after leaving the courthouse she was idling at a stop light and she happened to look over at the car next to her and Travis' siblings were in that car.

My Mom and I were silent for a few moments when she finally voiced exactly what I was thinking. She said "I know they're going through hell." Yet nothing drove that point home for me more than when I heard them speak last week. I never meant to cause them so much pain.

When Stephen said he read on Travis's 3 by 5 card that it said "Call Stephen" and that he never got that call, I know that's because of me. And when Samantha showed us the last picture that she took with Travis I know it's because of me that will always be the last picture that she'll ever take with Travis.

Throughout this trial I've avoided looking at Travis' family for a variety of reasons that I won't go into but I wondered "Where is his Grandma?" "Is she here?" I didn't learn until last week what happened to her.

Samantha said that Travis was the glue to their family. Around Thanksgiving last -- not last year -- in 2007, Travis called me. He was really upset. He said his grandmaother was ill and frail and that he didn't know if she was going to make it. He said he didn't know what his family would do if she didn't make it because she was the glue to their family. To know now that both are gone and that I may have also inadvertantly induced her passing destroys me.

Every time I've had the thought or desired to commit suicide there has been one element that has always, almost always caused me to waver. They're sitting right over there (turns and points to her family in the gallery). They're my family.

At times I've lost track of that element. For example, the incident I testified to when I took my razor apart in the Siskiyou County jail I managed to convince myself that they would get over the pain with time and that in the long run I was doing them a favor by unburdening them of my presence and their lives.

I wrote a bunch of them goodbye letters, addressed specifically to each person, and in the letters I didn't focus so much on explanations but on how much and why I loved each of them. Then I wrote a general explanatory letter to help them understand my decision. At that time I saw it as taking myself off of life support. I didn't know a lot of anything about prison at that time and I didn't think it was fair to expect my family to have to support me for the rest of my life.

I didn't know then that if I got life instead of death I could become employed and self-reliant. I didn't know that if I got life there are many things I can do to effect positive change and contribute in a meaningful way.

In prison there are programs I can start and people I can help and programs that I can continue to participate in. I'll share a few examples that I thought of.

(steps back to take pieces of paper from table)

A few months before the trial, and by that I mean jury selection, my hair was past my waist and I donated it (positioning paper on projector to show image on monitor) to Locks of Love, a non-profit which creates wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair. In fact that was my third donation to that organization since I was arrested. If I'm allowed to live in prison I will continue to donate to that organization for the rest of my life.

(she removes image from projector)

Over the years I have spent in incarceration I have received many requests from women to teach them Spanish or American sign language. Because my case was pending I just didn't have the time. In prison I will. If I'm sentenced to life I will live among the general population of women and I'll be able to share my knowledge of those subjects with them, the ones who have a desire to learn also. I may even be able to start classes.

If I get permission, I'd like to implement a recycling program. The women's prison in Goodyear)(?) houses thousands of women and each week huge loads of waste are hauled off to a landfill. A substantial portion of that could be kept out of landfill and be recycled instead. It may even create new jobs for the people there. This is one small thing that could have a far reaching impact on the community and on the planet.

There is a higher rate of illiteracy in prison than in everyday society. I know that reading has enriched my life by expanding my knowledge base and opening my eyes to new worlds and different cultures. I can help other women become literate so that they too can add that dimension to their lives.

Along the lines of literacy I'd like to start a book club or a reading group, something that brings people together in a positive and constructive way so that we can share and recommend other good books and stimulate discussions of a higher nature.

Additionally I've designed a t-shirt (steps back and takes t-shirt off side table, holds it to show the word "Survivor" printed on a white t-shirt.). This is the t-shirt, which one hundred percent of the proceeds go to support non-profit organizations (folds t-shirt and puts it back on table) that also assist other victims of domestic violence. Some people may not believe that I am a survivor of domestic violence. They're entitled to their opinion. I'm supporting this cause because it is very, very important to me.

These are only a handful of examples. I've never been to prison. I don't know from personal experience what it's like there, but I'm certain that after I arrive I'll likely find many other ways in which I can contribute to the women there.

I'd like to share with you now a few things about me and a few things about my family.

(steps back and takes remote control from table to begin a presentation of photos shown on the monitors, different photos are shown while she speaks)

When I was little my Mom took a lot of pictures of me. I'm the first child. She almost...she, she had her camera everywhere and she would take a lot of pictures of me when I was first born. Selinas is near the coast and it seems that many were overcast days but when it was sunny she would take me out to the backyard and turn on the sprinkler so I could play. That's me attempting to dress myself.

A few years later, um, Carl came along. My little brother. And we became inseparable. When we were little my parents took us everywhere, including Sea World here and Hawaii. But my fondest memories with him are of us sneaking off at home on a lazy Saturday, just making a mess of the living room in our pajamas.

When I was 11 years old and the slide is background(?) I apologize, when I was 11 years old my little sister Angela was born 4 weeks early. I think possibly came here(??) I was so excited to have a baby sister. I watched my Mom study growa(?) I watched Angela come into this world and after the doctor swaddled her(?) he turned to me and turned to my Mom and said "Do you want to hold her first?"

These are various school pictures and on occasion my family and I would get together for family portraits such as these. In ninth grade my family and I moved back to Yreka but I still went back to Santa Maria periodically to visit friends.

This is Patti. She was my best friend for years. She was here last week to testify on my behalf, as you heard Mr. Nurmi tell you in opening statements but she didn't return today because she and her 9 year old daugther were threatened and harrassed if she came back to this state.

I'm 21 years old here. After I moved out of my parents house at the age of 17 my relationship with my Dad improved a little.

This is my Grandma and her twins. My aunt is on the left and my Mom is on the right.

These are my parents when they were just a little bit younger.

This is Bobby and I. It's a little out of order chronologically. We're hanging out in our dirty little rundown house in Montague that I had mentioned previously. At times we lived there without power and phone. The winters were freezing, we could see our breath inside the house.

My parents did not support this relationship and we were young and just trying to figure out life on our own. When this picture, when I see this picture I'm reminded of that quote by Charles Dickens when he says "they were the best of times, they were the worst of times." We're smiling here in this picture taken by set(?). It was a difficult relationship but Bobby will always be special to me.

I'm 21 here. This is a photo of Matt McCartney and I. It was taken a few months after we broke up, a few months after he moved down to Big Sur where I was working at Vintona(?). As you know we remained friends and on this day we realized Vintona's company passes to tour the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Darryl and I began seeing each other a little over a year after that. In this photo I'm coming out of a red-headed stage that I went through for a few years. This is one of my favorite pictures of Darryl and me. We were at Chimos(?) a restaurant in Monterey where our friend Tony and his band were playing blues and regaee live. He dedicated songs to us and we danced. Darryl was a good dancer.

When we began dating we started a yearly tradition in which we'd go camping every summer at this remote little campground, it's called Kurt Creek(?). It's south of Big Sur in an area that the locals call the south coast.

This is Darryl, Jack and I in Vinton(?). It's hard to see in this photo but the ocean is in the background. It's on the terrace.

After we bought our house in Palm Desert we sought out some snow in the nearby mountains that first winter. We settled in and made a little life for ourselves for that span of time. Jack was always with us on the weekends. He took that picture of me.

I made friends with my co-workers and sometimes we'd go out after a shift just to chill and hang out. Darryl, Jack and I did a lot of things together. Here we rode the aerial tram in Palm Springs at the top of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Darryl's ex-wife took this picture. We were all at Chucky Cheese's celebrating Jack's seventh birthday.

Jack and I bonded, he's a great kid. I haven't seen him since June 3rd 2008. I hear he's much bigger now, taller than me.

My family and I still got together periodically for group portraits. These were taken at a park in Yreka.

In 2010 my little sister gave birth to this beautiful little girl on the right. The tiny premature baby that I witnessed come into this world now has a baby of her own. She's a mature, responsible, dedicated mother. She's also engaged to a wonderful man and his daughter, this gorgeous girl on the left is my niece's new big sister.

I've met these girls only through a thick pane of glass. They get along like they have always known each other. I won't be at my sister's wedding when she ties the knot next year. And I won't be at, I won't be her wedding photographer like we had always talked about.

The same is true for my brother Carl. The boy I grew up with became a family man. He and his wife married in 2010. I wasn't there to celebrate with them and I wasn't there to take their pictures and I have no one to blame but myself. A few weeks before trial they welcomed this precious little baby into the world. I haven't met her yet.

Until a few weeks ago I had huge hopes of becoming a part of these girls lives someday. My nieces are the closest I'll ever come to motherhood because I'm not going to have children of my own. I'm not going to become a mother. Because of my own terrible choices I've had to lay that dream to rest.

You've heard before that I'm an artist. As it now stands I'll never create another oil painting but these are some of my drawings.

I'm pretty good with hands and nature but I'm best with portraits. There's Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor. This picture is a little distorted. This is my niece where she was a bit younger, playing the piano. Well, attempting to play the piano.

My family and I have a lot of memories, especially ones like this at Christmas. We won't be creating any more of these kinds of memories together. This is how I used to spend the holidays with my family.

It was Carl's idea to hold my portrait in this Christmas family photo taken a few years ago. My parents were there, my siblings were there, my brother's wife was there. From now on this is how my family is going to spend the holidays with me.

Following my arrest I wanted so much to avoid trial. Not necessarily the outcome, although that's naturally not something I was looking forward to, but trial. All of the graphic, mortifying, horrific details paraded out into a public arena. Instead I was hoping to go quietly into the night, whether off to prison or the next life. But with the amount of attention my case received early on I felt, in my ignorance, that it was necessary to speak out.

I got on TV and I lied. I lied aobut what I did and I lied about the nature of my relationship with Travis. It's never been my intention to malign his name or character. In fact it was a goal of mine to preserve his reputation.

I didn't want to drag out Travis' skeletons or mine or explain my experiences with them. I didn't want to unveil all of those ugly text messages and emails and that awful tape. All these things which now stand as public and permanent testimony to the darker aspects of our relationship. To 18 strangers, in front of Travis' family, in front of my family, in front of what feels like the whole world.

It's never been my intention to throw mud on Travis' name. When I took the stand I was obligated to answer the questions posed to me and if you'll remember many times I was quick to defend him in the same breath. I loved Travis and I looked up to him. At one point he was the world to me.

This is the worst mistake of my life. It's the worst thing I've ever done. It's the worst thing I ever could have seen myself doing, in fact I couldn't see myself doing it. Before that day I wouldn't even want to harm a spider. I'd gather them up in cups and put them outside.

To this day I can hardly believe I was capable of such violence, but I know that I was and for that I will be sorry for the rest of my life. Probably longer. I was horrified by what I had done and I'm horrified still.

In many ways my family has also suffered a great loss. Their pain is fresh because they only learned about it two weeks ago, the moment the verdict was read. The moment their hopes of ever welcoming me home someday were dashed.

My Dad who is here today lives in California awaiting anxiously in front of the TV. My Mom came to visit me after court that dark day. She had spoken to my Dad on the phone on the way over and she told me that in 34 years that they had been together she's never heard him cry the way he did that day. I've cause that pain. I've caused them to hurt that way. And I will concede that with Travis' family theirs is a much greater loss and I can never make up for it.

It is my hope that with the verdict you have rendered thus far that they will finally gain a sense of closure. Stephen said he doesn't want to look at his brother's murderer anymore. If I get life he won't have to.

I've made many public statements that I would prefer the death penatly to life in prison. Each time I said that, though I meant it, I lacked perspective. Until very recently I could not have imagined standing before you all and asking you to give me life.

To me life in prison was the most unappealing outcome I could possibly think of. I thought I'd rather die, but as I stand here now I can't in good conscience ask you to sentence me to death because of them (points to her family).

Asking for death is tantamount to suicide. Either way I'm going to spend the rest of my life in prison. It will either be shortened, or not.

If it is shortened, the people who will hurt the most are my family. I'm asking you please, please don't do that to them. I've already hurt them so badly along with so many other people.

I want everyone's healing to begin and I want everyone's pain to stop.

Thank you.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Last (Hopefully) Motion for Mistrial

Nurmi: "We will not be calling witnesses in the defense case."

Judge Sherry Stephens: "Alright. I assume your client does wish to allocute."


Jodi Arias Penalty Phase - Day 2 - Motion for Mistrial
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Darryl "Gas Cans" Brewer

Darryl Brewer (who I prefer to call "Gas Cans" just because it is more fun and it helps to remember how he is connected to the case) was an ex-boyfriend of Jodi's and one of the two witnesses along with Patti, Jodi Arias’ childhood best friend set to appear on behalf of Jodi Arias during the Sentencing Phase of the trial. The defense team announced that they will not be calling any witnesses.

Darryl did an interview with azcentral.com and there are more clips available at: Exclusive: Jodi Arias' ex-boyfriend says what he couldn't in court by Chris Williams, 12 News

Darryl's testimony on Jan 29, 2013 (Day 10) of the Jodi Arias trial begins at about 7min into video:


Day 10 - Part 2
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Penalty Phase: Mitigating Factors and Impact Statements


Penalty Phase - Day 1 - Part 1
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

The Mitigating Factors:

from the jury instructions, transcribed from the image that the defense showed on the monitor:

"The circumstances proposed as mitigation by the Defendant for your consideration in this case are:

1. Defendant was 27 years old at the time of the offense.
2. Defendant has no prior criminal history.
3. Defendant was a good friend.
4. Defendant lacked support from her family.
5. Defendant suffered abuse and neglect as a child and as an adult.
6. Defendant tried to make the best of her life.
7. Defendant consistently tried to improve herself.
8. Defendant is a talented artist."


Penalty Phase - Day 1 - Part 2 (Impact Statements)
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Patti: Jodi Arias’ childhood best friend

[update: May 20]

>> Character witness for Jodi Arias pulls out, citing threats and inner turmoil By Diana Alvear and Erin McClam, NBC News

>> Jodi Arias witness withdraws because of death threats by Michael Kiefer at The Republic, azcentral.com @michaelbkiefer


[original post]

Patricia Womack is one of the witnesses set to appear on behalf of Jodi Arias during the Sentencing Phase of the trial which was delayed today and is scheduled to resume on Monday, May 20.

David Lohr blogging about the court delay this afternoon: "The delay apparently has to do with Patricia Womack not wanting her face shown on camera. Womack is a childhood friend of Arias who will be testifying on her behalf."

>> Arias Trial Death Penalty Phase Begins by David Lohr at The Huffington Post

Patti appears in

>> NBC's Dateline: "Along Came Jodi" aired March 1, 2013

Patti also went on Nancy Grace by phone in April 2013:

April 16:


Exclusive: Arias’ childhood best friend speaks by HLNtv.com Staff from April 16, 2013

April 4:


Exclusive: Friend of Jodi Arias talks to Nancy Grace by Diane Kaye from April 4, 2013

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Judge's Orders on Day Before the Aggravation Phase

Some interesting judgements were made on the day before the Aggravation Phase began and ended with the jury finding that Travis' murder had been "especially creul". I saw three interesting orders from the judge in the mintues for the Status Conference held that day:
  • No more media interviews for Jodi.
  • Defense requests for victim impact statements to be on video instead of read live to the jury and "Discovery of Victim Impact Evidence" (the photos shown during those statements perhaps?) are both denied.
  • Defense Counsel request to withdraw from representing Jodi is denied. (Nurmi trying to "break up" with Jodi for at least the third time)

From the minutes for this Status Conference on May 14, 2013:

Discussion held regarding media interviews with the Defendant.

IT IS ORDERED there shall be no further media interviews with the Defendant pending further order of the court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office shall not approach the Defendant with any media requests pending further order of the court.

Discussion held regarding Defendant’s Request that Victim Impact Evidence be Presented via Videotape.

IT IS ORDERED denying the Request for reasons stated on the record.

Discussion held regarding Defendant’s Motion for Discovery of Victim Impact Evidence.

IT IS ORDERED denying the Motion.

Discussion is held on Counsel for the Defendant’s Motion to Withdraw.

IT IS ORDERED denying the Motion.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Troy Explains How He Got The Jodi Arias Exclusive


Troy explains how he got the Jodi Arias exclusive - @troyhaydenfox10 talks about his exclusive interview with Jodi Arias.

>> FOX 10 Livestream

>> Troy explains how he got the Jodi Arias exclusive

Next Phases For Jodi Arias

A good explanation of the next phases of the trial here >> Jodi Arias: Life or death? By Graham Winch that I have come to understand this way:
  1. Aggravation Phase: Jury to decide if death was caused in a cruel manner
    1. Jury decides NO, death not caused in creul manner: Judge will sentence Jodi to life in prison either with or without parole.
    2. Jury decides YES, death caused in creul manner: Jury moves to Sentencing Phase
  2. Sentencing Phase: Jury to decide on life sentence or death penalty, must be unanimous decision.
I also understand that Jodi could make a statement to the jury during the Sentencing Phase if it goes that far and I expect it will.

Name That Felony

I'm curious to know about the 7 jurors who found Jodi guilty both premeditated and felony murder. What did they consider as the felony? Please share any thoughts with me on twitter at @chrisbr40 where I started this discussion.

Let me start by saying that I'm happy with the verdict and I'm not trying to say that these jurors are wrong, I'm just not sure I could come to the same conclusion based on the jury instructions and curious to know what they felt was the felony. I expect we will hear from these 7 jurors someday soon and hopefully they will explain.

Until then I can't stop wondering about it and so I checked those jury instructions and read the section on felony murder that I have quoted below and taken from Final Jury Instructions posted by @WildAboutTrial at Wild About Trial website.

The only point that a juror would need to decide on, in my opinion, is whether or not Burglary in the Second Degree occurred on June 4, 2008 when she killed Travis and this, according to the jury instructions which requires two parts: the "remained unlawfully" in part 1 "and 2. Did so with the intent to commit any theft or felony therein."

I don't think that Jodi had any "intent" to steal, whether or not we believe that the gun she used was in Travis' home and that she took it. Jodi's theft of her grandparents gun would be a separate crime, as I understand it and not a part of the charges in this trial.

I would have a problem finding for felony murder because of that word "intent" in the second requirement and that both parts need to be satisfied. Maybe this was a problem for the 5 jurors who only found premeditation?

What do you think? Can you name that felony? @chrisbr40

The jury instructions read:

"CHARGED OFFENSE – FELONY MURDER

As stated earlier, Count 1 also charges defendant with First Degree Felony Murder. The crime of First Degree Felony Murder requires the state to prove the following two things:

1. The defendant committed or attempted to commit Burglary in the Second Degree; and

2. In the course of and in furtherance of committing Burglary in the Second Degree, or immediate flight from it, the defendant caused the death of any person.

An “attempt” requires the state to prove that the defendant intentionally did something which, under the circumstances she believed them to be, was a step in a course of conduct planned to culminate in the commission of the offense.

The crime of Burglary in the Second Degree requires proof that the defendant:

1. Entered or remained unlawfully in or on a residential structure; and

2. Did so with the intent to commit any theft or felony therein.

Residential structure means any structure, movable or immovable, permanent or temporary, that is adapted for both human residence and lodging whether occupied or not.

“Intentionally” or “with the intent to” means, with respect to a result or to conduct described by a statute defining an offense, that a person’s objective is to cause that result or to engage in that conduct. There are no lesser included offenses for First Degree Felony Murder.

In order to find defendant guilty of Count 1, it is not necessary that you be unanimous with respect to whether the Defendant is guilty of First Degree Premeditated Murder or First Degree Felony Murder. The only requirement is that you be unanimous that the Defendant is guilty of First Degree Murder, which can be either First Degree Premeditated Murder or First Degree Felony Murder. If you find the Defendant guilty of First Degree Murder, you must indicate on the verdict form how many of you have found the Defendant guilty of First Degree Premeditated Murder and/or First Degree Felony Murder. By way of example only, the jury can be unanimous as to both theories, or just one theory, or it may be divided."

How FOX 10 Got Exclusive Interview With Arias


How FOX 10 Got Exclusive Interview With Arias - FOX 10's Troy Hayden @troyhaydenfox10 talks about his exclusive interview with Jodi Arias plus new sound bites from their one-on-one talk.

>> FOX 10 Livestream

>> Jodi Arias talks exclusively with FOX 10 after verdict

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Verdict

[Updated at 5:30pm, May 8]

As read by the clerk: "We the jury...do find the defendant as to count one, first degree murder, guilty. 5 jurors find premeditated, 0 find felony murder, 7 find both premeditated and felony." (beginning at 01:35 in video below)


Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen
[Original post at 3pm]

Habemus Veredicto!

Live video is available at the "Live Video and Archives" page at the link above.

At approximately 2:30pm today the Maricopa County Superior Court tweetied from @courtpio: "The Jury has reached a verdict in the State v. Jodi Arias. The Verdict will be read at 1:30 pm."

1:30pm Arizona time is 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time.

The jury deliberated for a total of approximately 15 hours.

This post will be updated with the final verdict later today.

Monday, May 6, 2013

The Jodi Arias Jury Deliberates

[UPDATED May 8th]

The announcement on a verdict was made at approximately 2:30pm on May 8th and brings the total time of deliberations to approximately 15 hours
[UPDATED later on May 6th]

HLN reports that as of the end of today the Jodi Arias jury has been in deliberations for approximately 7 hours, 33 mins

The approximate time for jury deliberations on other cases from How long did the juries of these big trials deliberate? by Alice Feigel at HLNtv.com

4 hours : O.J. Simpson (acquitted)

4 hours : Steven Hayes (guilty)

9 hours : Conrad Murry (guilty)

10 hours, 40 min : Casey Anthony (acquitted)

14 hours : Drew Peterson (guilty)

20 hours : Jerry Sandusky (guilty)

30 hours : Phil Spector (guilty)

35 hours : Robert Blake (acquitted)

4 days : Menendez brothers (guilty)

7 days : Scott Peterson (guilty)


[ORIGINAL POST on May 6]

There was no verdict today, the first full day of jury deliberations. @BethKaras reports on HLN that the jury had no questions or requests for information of any kind today.

I don't expect to update this blog with new posts until there is a verdict and so I'll be updating here on this post if there is any interesting news, rumors or reports on the deliberations.

The other posts on this blog about the jury and juror questions:

>> Jury Instructions
Final Jury Instructions in text (pdf) and video of Judge Sherry Stephens reading these instructions to the jury.

>> The Jury: Final 12 Jurors

Juror Questions

I have completely transcribed all of the jury questions for the Jodi Arias (229), Dr. Richard Samuels (105), Alyce LaViolette (161) and Dr. Janeen DeMarte (19). All comments are welcome, either here in the comments or on twitter via @chrisbr40.


Other video and information about excused jurors, opening statements, closing arguments etc. can be found in the archive in the sidebar.

Friday, May 3, 2013

The Jury: Final 12 Jurors

Below is a quick summary of the Jodi Arias Trial Juror Descriptions by tamaratattles @TamaraTattles which you should check out for more details.

Also check out HLN's Meet the jurors who will decide Jodi Arias' fate by Graham Winch

This list is the final 12 jurors (8 men, 4 women). You can see the three alternates selected after the prosecutor's rebuttal in the video at Closing Arguments: Prosecution Rebuttal. I have only added "(M)" and "(F)" to indicate male and female, all other descriptions come from @TamaraTattles and her blog post (link above):

Juror #1 (F) Church Lady- Mid 50's, short hair, no make-up, glasses.

Juror #2 (M) Trump-Guy in 40's, lots of hair, car salesman look.

Juror #3 (F) Housewife-She is a big lady (tall and heavy set, not obese) with a very sweet face, no make-up.

Juror #4 (M) Grandpa-Bald, sweet faced older man that looks like my grandpa.

Juror #6 (F) Nancy-Lady in her 50's, lovely face, reminds me of Nancy Reagan with glasses, short sassy haircut.

Juror #7 (M) Paul Rudd-Younger guy, mid-late 20's with spiky hair, sweat jacket, looks like the actor Paul Rudd. He does look like Paul Rudd, but with shorter hair. He’s a good looking young man.

Juror #9 (M) Willy-Old hippy with long white ponytail, thin, small build.

Juror #12 (M) Neil-Early 50's high forehead, glasses, looks very nervous and turns red easily.

Juror #13 (M) The Wrestler-Younger good looking guy, large build.

Juror #14 (M) Old potsmoking CPA (I have no idea why I wrote this, i have ZERO recollection of this juror.

Juror #16 (F) Maureen-Red haired, glasses (the red might be too red to be a natural ginger)

Juror #18 (M) The Artist-Bald, attractive, glasses, 50's-60's, large build, holds his notebook on a binder as if he’s going to sketch.

The alternates:

Juror #10 (F) Barb-Female, 40's, has the “sexy librarian” look, wearing a form fitting sweater, slender build and voluptuous.

Juror #15 (M) Elderly Man-This man is definitely the oldest juror, he occasionally uses the headphones to listen to the proceedings that Jodie’s Auntie uses.

Juror #17 (F) Pony Tail-Young girl, pony tail, plain, pony tail and sweats.

Also see my post: Jury Questions in the Jodi Arias Trial for links to the jury questions for some of the big witnesses or check the archives on the sidebar.

I have details about the jurors not on this list in other posts: Juror #8 (DUI?), Juror #11 (sick?), Juror #5 (reason not yet known, some form of misconduct suspected).

Closing Arguments: Prosecution Rebuttal


Day 56 - Part 4 (Rebuttal and Juror Selection)
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

"Psycho" Shower Scene Theory

Did Jodi Arias watch a famous shower scene and tried to duplicate it?

>> read the article: The Shower Scene - Jodi Arias By Micki Owens on Chat House News, Feb 2, 2013

>> Shot By Shot, Jodi Arias Intentionally Re-Created The Shower Scene From Psycho When Killing Travis Alexander By Patrick Dollard, May 3, 2013


The Famous Shower Scene From "Psycho"

Closing Arguments: Defense


Day 56 - Part 1
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen


Day 56 - Part 2
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen


Day 56 - Part 3
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Closing Arguments: Prosecution


Day 55 - Part 1 (Prosecution Closing)
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen


Day 55 - Part 2
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen


Day 55 - Part 3
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

Jury Instructions

>> Final Jury Instructions posted by @WildAboutTrial at Wild About Trial website


Day 55 - Jury Instructions (Prosecution Closing)
Jodi Arias trial videos from @croakerqueen

The Jury

[UPDATED: The Jury: Final 12 Jurors]


Below is a quick summary of the Jodi Arias Trial Juror Descriptions by tamaratattles @TamaraTattles which you should check out for more details.

This list is only the currently remaining 15 jurors (9 men, 6 women) and I'll try to update this when the final 12 are chosen. I have only added "(M)" and "(F)" to indicate male and female, all other descriptions come from @TamaraTattles and her blog post (link above):

Juror #1 (F) Church Lady- Mid 50's, short hair, no make-up, glasses.

Juror #2 (M) Trump-Guy in 40's, lots of hair, car salesman look.

Juror #3 (F) Housewife-She is a big lady (tall and heavy set, not obese) with a very sweet face, no make-up.

Juror #4 (M) Grandpa-Bald, sweet faced older man that looks like my grandpa.

Juror #6 (F) Nancy-Lady in her 50's, lovely face, reminds me of Nancy Reagan with glasses, short sassy haircut.

Juror #7 (M) Paul Rudd-Younger guy, mid-late 20's with spiky hair, sweat jacket, looks like the actor Paul Rudd. He does look like Paul Rudd, but with shorter hair. He’s a good looking young man.

Juror #9 (M) Willy-Old hippy with long white ponytail, thin, small build.

Juror #10 (F) Barb-Female, 40's, has the “sexy librarian” look, wearing a form fitting sweater, slender build and voluptuous.

Juror #12 (M) Neil-Early 50's high forehead, glasses, looks very nervous and turns red easily.

Juror #13 (M) The Wrestler-Younger good looking guy, large build.

Juror #14 (M) Old potsmoking CPA (I have no idea why I wrote this, i have ZERO recollection of this juror.

Juror #15 (M) Elderly Man-This man is definitely the oldest juror, he occasionally uses the headphones to listen to the proceedings that Jodie’s Auntie uses.

Juror #16 (F) Maureen-Red haired, glasses (the red might be too red to be a natural ginger)

Juror #17 (F) Pony Tail-Young girl, pony tail, plain, pony tail and sweats.

Juror #18 (M) The Artist-Bald, attractive, glasses, 50's-60's, large build, holds his notebook on a binder as if he’s going to sketch.

Also see my post: Jury Questions in the Jodi Arias Trial for links to the jury questions for some of the big witnesses or check the archives on the sidebar.

I have details about the jurors not on this list in other posts: Juror #8 (DUI?), Juror #11 (sick?), Juror #5 (reason not yet known, some form of misconduct suspected).