Although the state of NC is quite backward on many things, and I will not list them, in NC there are only 2 possibilities for punishment for Guilty of 1st Degree Murder: Life Without Parole (and it indeed means
no parole ever; NC has done away with parole, too), or Death, if it is a DP case. In the penalty phase of the trial, if the jury does not vote 12 to 0 on Death (if it is a DP case), the penalty defaults to LWOP. Period. And the sentence is pronounced by the judge as soon as the verdict is rendered -- the same day, and this goes for any NC trial. The prisoner (if guilty) is taken from the county lock-up (if in jail) to a state penitentiary immediately or the following day.
Pardon the diversion.
A new jury? I know that is what will happen in AZ for this case, but how much will the new jury know or be told about the case? How long does a penalty re-trial typically take? IMO, it seems that this would be unfair to the people of the state of Arizona, especially if the crime is really vile.
Please know that I'm not putting down the state of AZ in any way, I'm just making observations... And it bothers me -- will the new jury know the extent of how awful and cruel CMJA was to the good, honest & generous Travis? Grrrrr. I worry.