The penalty phase of Jodi Arias’ trial ended Thursday with a mistrial after the jury declared that they could not determine whether the convicted murderer should spend the rest of her life in prison or be put to death. Prosecutor Juan Martinez had pushed hard for the death penalty, urging the jury to “return a verdict of death,” while Arias’ defense team pleaded for her life.
Arias held back tears as the jury’s decision was revealed. A new jury will be selected for a penalty phase retrial if the prosecution decides to go for the death penalty again. If the prosecution decides against a penalty retrial, Arias will receive life in prison. Then only the possibility of parole would have to be determined. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens set the next hearing for June 20.
The prosecution said it “will assess, based upon available information, what the next steps will be.” "As of this point in time, the court has set a status conference for June 20 and we will proceed with the intent to retry the penalty phase. Because, for purposes of a jury determination on punishment, this is still a pending matter, there will be no further comment,” Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said in a written statement.
Arias was convicted earlier this month of the 2008 murder of her former boyfriend Travis Alexander. She stabbed Alexander 27 times, slit his throat and shot him in his Mesa, Arizona home.
###
Click here for more Law News
