Jodi Arias Trial Update 2/4/15 The Morning Session

This morning we started with a sidebar followed by the defense arguing outside of the jury that the testimony of Detective Perry Smith should be precluded because they have not received his reports or had enough time to interview him.  This motion actually seems to have merit to me. Smith was tapped by the prosecution to rebut the irrelevant porn testimony. He’s probably (I’m guessing here)  going to get on the stand and discredit the testimony from the defense team’s computer expert.  But here is the thing. He is refusing to give any of his analysis in writing to the defense claiming his computer forensics report will take two weeks. Also,  the defense lawyers maintain because of the technical detail of any report, should one be provided, they would need time to sit down with their expert to help in interpreting it. For once, this seems to impair the defense from properly cross-examining the witness.  If I understand the Judge’s ruling, it appears to be full steam ahead. You can depose the dude again on Bottomless Margarita Friday if you want. They may not even do cross until after Friday. The defense continues to request two reports that seem to be as of yet nonexistent.  The judge says one report will be sufficient and they will get it sometime after he testifies. Um, how does that help?  In my uniformed opinion, this judge consistently makes the wrong decision every single time.

In other pre-jury news, Detective Flores is back in the courtroom for the first time since the tragic passing of his 15 year old son. The boy’s grandmother, and Detective Flores’ mother is in court today for moral support.

Also, before the trial began, the judge and all attorneys had to question a juror in chambers. No idea which one, and shortly thereafter the jury returned with no mention made about the nature of the questioning.  Perhaps one is finally starting to have serious personal disruption for the never ending saga? 

Janeen DeMarte is back on the stand for the state today. Among her qualifications is expertise in domestic violence. Juan asks her if she believes there was domestic violence in Jodi’s relationship with Travis. She was that her opinion is there is no evidence to support that there was any domestic violence at all.  The only mentions of domestic violence came from Jodi and her accounts were inconsistent. Demarte testifies that none of Travis’s other relationships reported domestic violence. He has no history of domestic violence. Jodi told a variety of stories about the alleged domestic violence that did not add up.

Demarte moves on to discuss verbal abuse and the difference between verbal abuse and the usual verbal arguments between two people in a relationship.   Travis and Jodi argued. There was no verbal abuse. Demarte says there were times when Travis crossed the line, but there was not a pattern of verbal abuse. She cites one of the text conversations where Travis crossed the line. Three hole wonder perhaps?

DeMarte says that Jodi never mentioned any physical or verbal abuse by her parents or drug use by her parents. Over the objection of the defense, Juan enters notes from Dr. Samuels that states that she did not experience any abuse by her parents. Dr. DeMarte reads it to the jury.  Another document from a childhood friend of Jodi’s stating no childhood abuse of Jodi was admitted over the defense’s objection.  The friend, Zenya, said that Jodi “could play the victim.”  Documents from Jodi’s cousin, Aimee states that Jodi was never spanked and was quite spoiled.

Demarte is asked is there is a psychological significance to Travis keeping a sexual relationship a secret? She replies, “No it is normal.”  She says Jodi kept the sex a secret as well. Is keeping the sex a secret “manipulative?” No.  Would you consider this a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality? No.

Interview with Jodi’s half sister Julie who stated that Jodi was very secretive and did not share information about her life with her. She says her parents would always talk about Jodi not wanting them to know anything about her. This secretive behavior is a symptom of her borderline personality disorder.

Was Travis in a relationship with anyone when he was texting with multiple women? He was not.  Is it manipulative to be corresponding with twelve women at once? No.

Demarte testifies that Jodi kept her relationship with Bobby Juarez a secret. She says Jodi had a fear of abandonment and being alone.  A text between Travis and a female friend is admitted. Travis tells her he has caught Jodi spying on him on his property two times. She asks if he thinks she slit his tires. He says he didn’t see it and is not sure. DeMarte says the spying is the outward action of Jodi’s fear of abandonment,  she calls this “continuous pursuit.”  Travis admitted to Lisa Andrews that Jodi was spying on them.

Interview with Zach, one of Travis’ roommates who says Jodi showed up all the time and let herself in. He witnessed Travis arguing with her.

We move on to a text where Travis is asking about a missing diamond ring. Jodi admits she took it. Demarte says Jodi stole a diamond ring  from Travis. The defense team has  million hissyfits and objections. Sidebar. Jurors told to ignore the accusation that Jodi stole the ring. I haven’t forgotten it. Have you?  Apparently the text was allowed in but Demarte was not allowed to say she stole the ring or took it without permission. When testimony continues DeMartes says that “When Jodi got caught” and Nurmi objects. I believe that is sidebar number 12 or 13 of the morning.

LUNCH! And I am going to take a break here  to work on other things and will post the afternoon session later today.