I know y’all want to talk about Jodi’s hearing today so here is a spot for that. From what I am hearing there will not be a live feed from the courtroom today. Jodi’s attorneys want to challenge the inclusion of the inclusion of the jury instructions of finding the murder “especially cruel,” the component of the murder that made her eligible for the death penalty in Arizona. The defense says that the jury is not qualified to determine what makes one murder “especially cruel” and another not especially cruel.
This is a ridiculous waste of time because the Supreme Court ruled on this exact subject in 2002. In a 7-2 decision in the case of Ring v. Arizona, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a defendant has the right to have a jury, rather than a judge, decide on the existence of an aggravating factor that makes the defendant eligible for the death penalty. In its decision, the Court held that a death sentence where the necessary aggravating factors are determined by a judge violates a defendant’s constitutional right to a trial by jury.
After that motion by the defense is denied, the next order of business should be setting a date to begin the new penalty phase. Juan wants to start it on July 30th but the defense says they need until January to prepare. The defense claims they want to call character witnesses for Jodi. Why didn’t they do that the first time if they had them? I expect the judge to set the case at the beginning of September at the latest and to tell the defense to get their act together.
I haven’t heard much about this lately, but it would not surprise me if Nurmi and Womack have not already wiggled out of the case for them to ask to be relieved from the case AGAIN. And it might just be granted.
I think they are live streaming it on WPTV channel 5, at least I have the live feed up and that is what is being reported.
Where can I watch it online?
I just tried WPTV and got nothing but the test pattern and loud beep. Sigh. Guess I’ll have to keep checking here for updates. This defense team is grasping at straws. Why doesn’t she just try and make a deal for 1st deg with no possibility of release? I know it’s a defense lawyers job to defend their client, but really, do they think they’ll find a new jury who doesn’t find the way she murdered Travis ‘especially cruel’?
I think the time has been moved to 10:30 Arizona Court Time which is around 2 EDT. 🙂 The news from the court this morning was no feeds. Let’s hope that changes.
Ahhh! Yikes.
Everyone is there,(not sure about Jodi) and Nurmi and Willmott when straight back to judges chambers.
The WPTV has the livestream up and reported in the twitter feed that everyone is in judge’s chambers now. I couldn’t help but notice that the reporter said that it had been set back 2 hours and they are always late.
Just Reconfirmed no live feed. Also Jodi is not in the courtroom, at least not yet. Maybe she doesn’t want to go in her zebra suit.
Meanwhile. I have to watch some other shows to recap. Keep me updated.
Wildabouttrial reports No cameras in courtroom today except something will be distributed later, but not the actual hearing which pretty much took place in chambers. Judge set next status conference 08/26. She wants trial to start late sept but there are still “issues.” She has not made a ruling on Nurmi’s request for continuance but seems to keep granting them 60 days at a time! She has not ruled on vacating the “extreme cruelty” verdict either. Jodi wore her hair in a bun with big bangs. That’s all I got.
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Now WPTV is saying it will not be livestreamed anywhere. Sorry for the wrong info earlier. 🙁
I cannot believe it’s taking 9 months to bring Arias to a final determination. I think this judge should’ve stopped treating her like a rock star months ago. Whatever would this court and jury have done if they hadn’t begun with a confession??!! I don’t care whether they kill her or keep her, but I don’t want her to EVER have the possibility of parole. I don’t think anyone close to this case really believes Arias should be on the streets EVER, so get it over with already. I so don’t trust this judge!
Let me correct myself. The EARLIEST date a final determination of her case could BEGIN is 9 months. I agree; I don’t think Nurmie and company will stick around.
The aggravating factor issue (especially cruel) was not addressed . Judge sets another conference trial for Aug 26th and wants to begin in late September but that seems unlikely right now. Basically no rulings were made today.
Breaking news in NC: Michael Peterson convicted of killing his wife Kathleen Peterson and serving a life sentence has been granted a new trial. A very high profile crime in Durham, NC, since both were socially and politically prominent citizens, the murder became the subject of Aphrodite Jones’ true crime novel, A PERFECT HUSBAND. This will be interesting. Additionally, a close friend of Peterson’s died under very similar circumstances (a fall down a staircase, dead at the bottom) in Germany…an “accident’ which gave Peterson guardianship of her two daughters and the funds that came with it. I’ll be following this one, too.
OOOh, that was a good trial. He was a writer. I wonder what earned him a new trial?.
I would definitely stay away from men with the last name of Peterson > Michael, Drew, Scott…….!
I had one back surgery during Ray Carruth’s trial. He was from NC, too and aa Carolina Panthers player. My 2nd back surg. was during Michael Peterson’s trial. Note to all, NO ONE has just 1 back surgery; ask around. That’s what turned me into a trial junkie.
TT, LOVE the new layout. 🙂
He lives near me. I think he was framed. Altho, the other person falling down the stairs too is a little too too.
They should drop the DP, give her her life sentence, send her to perryville, and let the other cases go on, just seems like a waste of time and money now. But would this judge give LWOP or parole possible in 25 years. That is what i think held up the first jury..parole possibility
Unless the Alexander’s change their stance, I don’t think the death penalty will be taken off the table. They have been very adamant about seating a new jury and moving into the next phase. But, you never know…..
If I were JA, I would be very hesitant to hope for goodwill from Judge Stephens, considering how she thanked and dismissed the jury. JA tweeted the other day & she said she now likes country music. Heck, I’ll bet country music doesn’t want her likes. I also believe it is reverse psychology on her part. Bet those other women won’t let her choose her station for the radio. LOL! BTW, while I am mentioning country music, I heard last night that Randy Travis is awake and responding to his family. Good for Randy Travis! 🙂 🙂
i agree Steve, life w/o…………unless family really can’t let it go…….but we’ve seen Perryville, and to me, that ain’t really life.
See, I think that JA would refuse to not go forward with a new death penalty phase b/c she would more than likely have to give up her right to appeal in ANY deal. I just bet she still thinks she is going to get out one day. And, I think she feels like 20 years is the max she will do.
Disgusted! The rusty needle should have been shoved in that anal wonder a long time ago!!!! We all know it, we just all won’t say it! Better yet, can someone legally stab her 27 times, slit her throat, and shoot her in the face. I am done with this stalking, murderess, whore! She is a waste of everyone’s time, money, and emotions!
“Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my……. ” / OUCH!
i feel for the Alexander family but at this point a life sentence is guaranteed, with or without parole at judges choice. if the state gets the DP then she may win a whole new trial on appeal, how horrible would that be, it took Milke 22 years but she did it. So this will never be over for his family, a life sentence keeps her in a cage.
There is essentially no possibility for parole in AZ. So parole is not an issue.
Rushed home in time from jobsite to find Arizona court – “late” as usual. The DVR caught it later, though. My, Jodi looks so sporty in her Bun-N-Stripes look !!! Sooo, summer-y. MORE delays and NO rulings AGAIN ? – Errr ! – Was it just me, or was the court audio terrible this time. I heard someone say Judge S had the cameras & sound moved to a new angle in the courtroom, and now set equipment up “behind glass” ?? That’s weird ! …and do they really need a 3 man “SWAT” team w/ shot guns to escort her ? That’s probably costing a shit-load. – I read where Jodi’s trial has come in @ 1.8m, so far… I thought the trial would proceed in autumn – but now I’m wondering. Did anyone see Dr. DeMarte on Dr. Drew last night ? She couldn’t talk about the Arias trial – but she sure received BIG kudos for her testimony there. I still think Nurmi & Wilmott will be on the case, but either way are working Jodi to practice her “BEST” crazy-ass boarderline personality disorders (like that will be tough, LOL !) so they can mount her defense, and beg her family into testifying on her behalf. (guess one should be careful using the word “mount” about JA – it takes on a “hole” new life of it’s own) ~ Ha ! 🙂
I think JA should face another round. When she heard that 8 jurors voted for the death penalty, she cried. I think it was one of the few times that her delusional world was rocked. She was faced with a moment of reality. I think she will be more nervous by facing the DP, and her fear that her own words could come back to bite her.
the def need more time to try and find a way to *redefine* jodi to a new jury. Since a new jury didnt have the chance to sit and listen to jodi B.S. for months. This way jodi can continue to draw attention and control others lives. Since the first jury couldnt find death if a new jury does will that be another appeal point? At this point persuing the DP feels more like vengence than justice. Give jodi a peice of cake that lasts forever..she can share with the Perryville roaches.
Golly Steve, you’re right! She might be able to do some major manipulation. End up w/life w/possibility of parole. Hope TA’s family is thinking long and hard.
JA had a court date and HLN barely noticed. I guess she is very disappointed.
Just after 6PM yesterday, Jodi tweeted: “The State rejected my 3rd request for a plea to settle quietly and less expensively. Off to trial we go. Sorry, taxpayers.”
Oh, Jodi is such a “Tool” !!! She must be sooo frustrated without a host of people to manipulate into thinking she really “cares” about the taxpaper’s money !! It must be getting awfully lonely behind that cage… Guard ! ~ Guard !!! 🙂
Poor, manipulative Jodi is “sorry” about the taxpayers having to foot her defense bill. However, she never had the decency to say that she was SORRY to Travis’s family!
Please just fry Jodi, or shoot her or inject her, or whatever they do in humane states like Florida, if you know what I mean.
seeing jodi in her drab dirty looking stripes made me remember when NG had her special with the ladies of Estrella Jail. They said one of the nastiest things were the preworn clothes. They ALL had nice white stripes on. So maybe jodi gets to wear someone elses pink nasty skanky dirty looking stained undies. I havent been able to find a THIRD deal from jodi. The only deal i CAN find is the old blackmail/manslaughter deal she made years ago.
steve…..Are you referring to Jodi’s tweet regarding a 3rd request for a plea to settle? If so….Tuesday was the 3rd time that Jodi and her defense team have asked Judge Stephens to take the death penalty off the table and settle for a life sentence. All 3 requests have been denied.
thanx Bobbi.. I thought she may have tried to wrangle something like she did before. If the state drops the death penalty it would go staight to Judge Stephens for disposition. No need for a jury. I thought jodi was trying for a guaranteed parole type deal. The Alexander family knew Travis better than anyone but what i learned from his writings i dont think he would push for death now. I think that the guilty verdict and whatever sentence imposed would have met his law and order side. Thats why ive changed from my DP stance to accept a life sentence
Is it even possible, at this point, to find 12 or more impartial jurors in the state of Arizona? I believe if another jury IS seated for the sentencing phase, it will end in another hung jury. TT has stated that there is essentially no possibility for parole in AZ, so perhaps making a deal for life would be the best possible outcome. The sooner Jodi is sentenced, the sooner she can move to her new home in Perryville!
If the first jury found death ok thats what most feel she deserves, but now, after the hung jury, i feel that if they get death, 10yrs or so down the road she will win an appeal and get another trial. then where would the Alexander family be. Its better to just give her a cage for life and know thats where she will stay
did she tweet that she agreed to life w/o???? maybe she tried to find some possible parole down the road.
Doc…..no mention in her tweet what she would be willing to settle for – life with or without parole. I’m quite sure Jodi will leave no stone unturned in her quest to find that elusive parole. She is just delusional enough to believe that she will walk out of prison someday!
My understanding is that there is no such thing as parole in AZ. They have life, or life with a possibility of release. If she was released, there would be no follow up of her from that day forward. She would basically walk free. I can’t see any judge giving her the chance of freedom one day, after the heinous nature of the crime. So it looks like it’s probably life in prison for ol’ Jodi, or the DP.
INTERESTING about the no parole. (for all crimes/arrests and convictions?) I wonder is that is good, bad or neutral. Imagine $$ saved. Wonder if it lends to repeat offenders or not. I was thinking about the women NG interviewed, along with JA. Maybe she’ll tweet what she tried to plea on more specifically. Or is there a place to get that info?
The absolutely is parole in Arizona. However, legal experts have said that in Jodi’s case parole would never be an actual option. I forget all the technicalities they cited but for some reason even if the judge granted the possibility of parole, it’s not an actual possibility. Sorry I can’t be more clear… but I have forgotten all the details.
no way would jodi go for straight no parole. But IF the state drops DP then only Judge Stephens has any say over parole chances..but i can envision jodi scheming something in her mind trying to paint Travis in an even WORSE light for a new jury. Lets follow her tweet request and save money and let Perryville have her. Even with a parole chance she has to pass the board and the Alexanders can have their say too. Thats better than risk a whole new trial years from now.
i wonder why Arizona have parole officers, parole boards or even the word parole written into laws IF they dont have it? Or ever use it?
Like I said, they have it. But every legal eagle on the TV said it was a moot point on this case.
TT..thats why ive been saying drop the DP. Life sentence is guaranteed so why push for the DP now and risk a possible appeal and new trial later. I was respoding to TrialChatter saying Az. didnt use parole just early release. I have a halfbrother who was on parole in Arizona..years ago. His wasnt a violent crime though.
This is what scares me: Arizona may not have parole NOW, but who knows, in 10, 15, 20 years from now, that law may be changed to allow for parole, and JA will get out.
AZ just built ANOTHER huge prison. They love prisons. I would not worry.
TT – shall we post on this site for Jodi’s hearing on Monday ?
I’ll probably put a fresh post up over the weekend for next week. 🙂
[forgive me, I’m playing IP down catch-up] !! Cool !! Hopefully, we’ll all be here !! ~ Thnx, TT !