I wanted to state an opinion---Although I am pretty angry at the jury---the difference between the Death Penalty and Life (as long as she gets no parole) makes little difference. There is a HUGE difference between jail where she is currently at, and prison. In prison they will not care who she is---and in general population the chances of getting beat, robbed, raped are high. Of course it might take a few years to get to general population. On death row she would be isolated away from people 23-hours a day and will still live on average 12-years based on appeals. It's more of an "isolation" sentence---neither one is going to be fun for her. The borderline side of her will get her into fights in general population, some which may turn out bad. The narcissist side of her would cringe at isolation for 23-hours a day with little interaction. At least with Death Penalty cases—some are knocked down to life with no parole—and at least she can't get out with the Death Penalty.
Also, she has no chance of doing what she claims she wants to do other than Locks for Love. Prison will not let her have a book club or anything else---that was for show. She can have books in her cell. In fact, she mentioned a lot of things ---and that was because she was hoping for something to stick with any one juror—like helping the hearing impaired—she can’t do that either, that was a manipulative ploy targeted to a particular juror and I’m sure she knows the background of the Jurors. A few years in prison if she can show she behaves (doubtful)— might get a 50-cent an hour job helping people get their GED at best. Oh and those non-profits? Actually they were saying any money she made was going to her family and to Long Beach domestic violence and Laviolette? WOW—if true. Oh, and the prison already has a recycling program--lol
If she gets Life, the key thing to watch for at sentencing is with or without parole. If she gets 25-life with parole--THAT would be the injustice. She should get no parole and never walk the streets. Also I think Wilmott hurt her, not helped her--she was blasting the family while Arias wanted to be saved because of the family.
In fact, Wilmott was horrible in my opinion---whiny, agitated, and kept bringing up domestic violence. The Verdict was already guilty, so try to find some compassion from the jury and don’t insult their intelligence. Even if she eventually gets life---it won’t be because of Wilmott, and eight of the 12 still voted for Death. Although a ‘death qualified’ jury either couldn’t pull the trigger based on personal views (a lot of people say they can vote death until they get there) or there was a mitigating factor they bought. However, the evidence for death was overwhelming---and there was nothing mitigating except perhaps she is --crazy ---and she is young, pretty and FEMALE. Let’s say it now—the biggest loser with this verdict is women. Again----just like the old adage, ‘women and children first’ women are still not seen as accountable—like children. This goes for a lot of cases around the country—Casey Anthony or Winkler the Pastors wife and many more. If this was ‘Joey’ Arias and he had a beard and did the same thing—the decision would have been easy. Women continue to be unequal to men, and if you can’t be held accountable in the court room, no one is really going to see you as equal in the board room even though you may be there.
What's also sad is that Arias said that the Jury betrayed her before this sentencing non-verdict, and she sat on TV doing interviews calling reporters haters and still trashing Travis with make-up and no glasses. She also demanded make-up for this interview spree she went on. It’s the manipulative Jodi Arias Show and that is the sad part. Arias is really silly---perhaps she could have gotten LIFE if she had stayed away from the 'survivor' domestic violence t-shirts, and that Womack was threatened (big lie)----but she made the jurors decision harder to keep her alive, not easier. Two huge mistakes for Arias-- and why eight voted for death. She thinks she is smart but can’t resist getting digs in that hurt her---wonder if Einstein did that as well?
As far as Travis’s family—my heart breaks for them. None of them live in Arizona so they have to commute or live in a suitcase. This has taken a toll on them physically and emotionally. And this Jury failed them—oh sure—it voted for premeditated one and cruelty—I give them credit for that and for doing their civic duty for several months when many people try to avoid jury duty. However---the evidence was overwhelming for Death and sometimes you have to realize that if you give her death---she lives at least 12-years and likely it would have been reversed to Life without parole. To me if you sign a form and say you can carry out death by following the law—then you have to do it, that what makes you “death qualified’ and at least it gives the family some satisfaction and ends this phase so they can start their lives again. How convenient that the Jury is going home now for the Memorial weekend for grilling, barbecuing, potato salad and beans—and that Travis’s family, who has lost their Grandparents, their parents, their health, and one of the most beloved citizens that has walked this planet, can’t have a little peace on Memorial day for Travis. To me-- there were eight courageous people on that jury and four cowards. For these two women jurors to cry and mouth the words “We’re sorry,” is insufficient. I hope to God these were women that voted for the Death Penalty---otherwise that is insulting as well and inexcusable. If there ever was a poster child for the death penalty after all the stalking, harassing, lying, false accusations of abuse and pedophilia---and one the most horrific and vicious murders in American History—it is Jodi Arias----and whether she is cute or female or pretty shouldn’t matter----and that’s why I say-- the Justice System failed again, at least for now.
Speaking of the failed Arizona justice system, in some states an 8-4 death vote would put you on death row, in some states, a 8-4 death vote because it’s not unanimous---would automatically give you Life. Arizona gives you a redo with new jurors and a lot more tax payer money needed. It’s kind of stupid really. I think a two-thirds vote either way gives you Life or Death—that way it takes the pressure off each individual juror and their personal beliefs. Or how about 9-3 or 10-2? Do we need all 12 jurors voting the same way in the sentencing phase? We didn’t need that in the verdict phase where it could be Felony murder, Premeditation murder or both.
Anyway, to Travis’s family and his supporters— keep this in perspective---Jodi is guilty of premeditated murder with cruelty. She will spend a Long time in prison or get the Death Penalty. The goal is to maintain the course and remember perseverance along the path with this bump in the road. Travis would be looking down right now and saying---“The difference between a Stumbling Block and Stepping Stone is the Character of the individual walking the path. To me this is a lesson learned that any of us no matter what lot we have been given in life, can, like the Phoenix rise from out of the ash and accomplish absolutely anything that we choose to.” (Travis Alexander). ---So today, although we may feel we are in the ashes, in July---we will rise.
Update: This morning I am watching a juror say they had a hard time wrapping their heads around the fact a woman did this (good grief just as I expected) and that they believe she was mentally and verbally abused and although they shouldn’t have considered it, it was there. What?
Maybe they should remember Travis was STALKED and trying to get AWAY from her. Travis said, “You have denied me the basic right of human privacy countless times.” Of course he was getting upset and ticked off. Who wouldn’t? And as far her mental status, she was two scoops of crazy before she even met Travis, and even her own mother knew she was mentally off. Like I said, there were eight heroes and four cowards. I haven’t changed my mind.
