Arias to speak TuesdayBy Graham Winch
updated 7:34 PM EDT, Mon May 20, 2013
- Court was abruptly canceled in the Arias trial Monday after the judge denied a motion for mistrial.
- Arias has been convicted of first-degree murder for killing her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander
- In this phase, the jury will decide if she lives or dies
Court was abruptly canceled in the Jodi Arias trial Monday. Judge Sherry Stephens adjourned Monday's proceedings without giving a reason and simply told the jurors court was unable to proceed. Stephens said Arias will address the jury Tuesday.
A possible reason for the delay could be that Arias's defense team may have asked for more time so Arias can prepare the statement she will give to the jury.
Her statement, which will likely appeal directly to the jurors' sense of humanity to spare her life, will be an emotional finale to a nearly six-month courtroom drama.
Arias was convicted of first-degree murder for the grisly slaying of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander on June 4, 2008. Last week, jurors reached their second verdict in the case, deciding that Arias murdered Alexander in a "cruel manner."
This week could be the dramatic conclusion to the Arias' trial. Jurors will deliberate a third time to determine whether she is sentenced to life in prison or death via lethal injection.
In an atypical move, the defense has told the jurors they intend to display some of Arias' art to illustrate that her life behind bars may have value to society. It could be one of the most memorable moments of the trial.
Defense attorney Kirk Nurmi has asked the jury to consider a wide variety of mitigating factors, including the fact that Arias has no prior criminal history, that she suffered abuse and neglect as a child, and that she is a “talented artist.”
Prosecutor Juan Martinez, however, told the jurors that Arias’ art -- among other things -- is irrelevant when it comes to her murderous actions on June 4, 2008.
In mentioning Arias' artistic value to society, HLN’s Ryan Smith says the defense is trying make Arias seem more human to those who might regard her as a monster capable of a brutal murder.
“It’s all about showing that she is a human being. A human being who has likes and dislikes. ... They can maybe get one member of the jury to look at her and say ‘Hey, she is just like me. Yes, she did something horrific, but am I ready to end her life?’” said Smith.
Arias testified at trial that she enjoys art and photography. She also said she had aspirations of becoming a professional photographer, before being arrested on murder charges.
If the jurors decide not to sentence Arias to death, Judge Sherry Stephens will either sentence her to life in prison without parole or life in prison with the eligibility for parole after 25 years.
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