Katiecoolady: just read the stories for which you provided links about your sister's murder and how you came to be "katiecoolady". I've gained a whole new perspective that magnifies my admiration for you. Here, I thought you were just this cool woman with a lot of free time on her hands who has a "thing" for live trials. You're all that and much more.
I, for one, appreciate more than the limits of our language can convey your insider reporting, because it's unfiltered and real: you get to be where many of us would LIKE to be but can't, and what you write is what our brains would be absorbing were we to be there. Your notes from yesterday were especially riveting.
Here's one exchange we all NEED to hear at least once before this is all over with:
Nurmi: "Objection! Judge, may we approach?"
Judge Stevens: "No. Sit down and shut up. Mr. Martinez, please continue your beat down."
Nurmi: "But..."
Judge Stevens: "I said shut up."
Nurmi: "OK." (takes out peanut butter and jelly sandwich and starts chewing on it).
Hate to rain on anyone's post-JM follow up elation, but: it occurs to me that Jodi Arias wants to die. This, for her, is all a big show. She clearly remembers vividly every single nanosecond of her slaughtering of Travis. She's playing games with people's heads - something even her legions of detractors must admit she is very good at. She knows the jury isn't buying her nonsense. She enjoys the verbal sparring with JM. She is not concerned in the least about piffling little things like perjury, remorse or being liked.
This is the Jodi Arias Show. She sticks to the script that she hopes ultimately leads to a death sentence. She figures it's going to happen no matter what she says or does at this point, so why not have some more fun at Travis and his family's expense with the eyes of the world upon her? She knows no matter what happens this is the last time so many people are ever going to care about her, even if by "caring" we include wanting her to suffer mightily for her crime and subsequent attitude.
Our system of justice has yet to devise a method of submitting this defendant to enough painful physical, mental and emotional torment to truly avenge what she did to Travis Alexander. Our options appear to be the death penalty, which amounts to 15 years of appeals followed by a needle and an eternal nap; or life in prison (preferably without the possibility of parole). That is only an adequate sentence if she is locked in a cold dark cell for 23 hours a day with NO contact from other inmates or visitors from the outside, no access to television, books or the internet and if the walls of the cell are plastered with images from the crime scene.
In either case, the reality of what she did to this man and the yeoman's efforts she has undertaken to continue to "kill" him in her testimony is going to make whatever punishment she receives feel hollow. Be prepared for that.
It IS however going to feel so utterly satisfying to watch Mr. Martinez "choke her out" in the coming days during follow up and rebuttal. He has seemingly been the only one since this whole trial began that has - at least for a few instances - exposed whatever remaining humanity she has in her: getting her to sob uncontrollably while calmly asking her if she was crying during the crime. That clip will be required viewing for every coming generation of prosecutors in training.
I think I have a man crush on JM. I admit it. Either that or I'm just projecting how badly I wish I could have a chance to be the prosecutor at this trial. Not that I have any experience in the field, but I would just like to go all Perry Mason on her. I am certain we haven't yet seen even the BEST of Juan Martinez. His summation will be hypnotizing.
So, katiecoolady, I heart you, too. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Your sister would be WAY proud.
