Retrial for Sentencing of Jodi Arias #1

[krkrjx]

I assume you can get a warrant for this kind of situation, but it sounds like JM thinks they will cooperate. I'm just trying to figure out what kind of expert this is who is doing an "evaluation" of JA but also needs to see the crime scene. Should be interesting.

Makes you wonder if they are one and the same (the PI is actually the witness she could not meet with til end of August), or two people were being discussed at the hearing: an investigator and a witness.

Why either would need access to the crime scene for this stage of the trial, I cannot figure.

 

[krkrjx]

I would have gutted the closet, bathroom and bedroom knowing what happened in those spaces. Good grief, it has been SIX years.

I can see it now: JA asks that her guilty verdict be tossed out based on her PI not having access to the crime scene because the new homeowners remodeled the master suite.

 

[katydid23]

Having an investigator sent to the crime scene worries me. I thought this trial was focused upon the GUILTY verdict and to figure out her punishment.

I cannot understand what the death scene has to do with her upcoming sentencing. :waitasec:

 

[Miss Judy]

I also don't understand what the crime scene has to do with mitigation. What could be there to show that she was "justified"?

Has Aiken been confirmed as one of her other witnesses? I don't understand how jail conditions or her behavior in jail would be mitigating factors either ( I assume that's what he does?). She's in jail and she's going to prison because of what she did, which has been proven to be premeditated murder. How well she does or adjusts or whatever is irrelevant. She should be sentenced for *what she did.* Not what might happen to her because of what she did.

I'm glad Judge Stephens is being so careful. (Please don't throw things at me!) Nothing would make Arias happier than appeal after appeal. I hate that the Alexander family has had to wait so long for justice. But CMJA *will not stop.* She'll try anything and everything to drag out the sentencing retrial. I'm positive that she's going to try to prove her "innocence," regardless of the fact that it won't be allowed. Something wildly untrue will be stated, it will get objected to by JM and the Judge will tell the Jury that they must disregard it. But once it's said the jury's heard it. And she only needs *one* person to avoid the Death Penalty. Just that ONE. I really don't think she's going to get Death if the retrial goes forward.

I honestly think that a death sentence would be more to her liking anyway. If she gets that, suddenly she's a "victim of the system" and anti-Death-Penalty groups will line up to be sure that she doesn't die. She's got a free appeal on the State's dime. She's still in the spotlight. Poor Jodi and all that. If she were sentenced to LWoP, she's done. Sure she can file an appeal, but there won't be well-funded groups to assist. No one would care. And Judge Stephens has been careful to avoid appeal issues. A year from now, no one would know who the heck she is. I think that's her nightmare: to be locked up and forgotten.

Personally, I'd love it if JM just dropped the Death Penalty before the retrial and Judge Stephens immediately sentenced CMJA to LWoP. I can't think of anything that would piss her off more. She would have NO say in that. No amount of histrionics, manipulation or stalling would matter anymore. It would be done, off to Perryville, no State-backed appeal for you, see ya, that's it. And I think that the Alexanders would never have to hear of her again. With the Death Penalty imposed, this would drag on and on for years.

My 2 cents, MOO and all of that other stuff. I hope I understood this all correctly.

 

[Love Never Fails]

(Bringing over from the sidebar thread)

---
Arias' docket schedule has been updated:

9/2/2014 9:00 Status Conference
9/3/2014 9:00 Status Conference
9/4/2014 8:30 Complex / Capital Case
9/8/2014 8:30 Trial

(Not sure why the Trial date hasn't changed yet).

The High Profile List has the 9/4 pretrial conference, maybe the 2nd and 3rd will be closed?

http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/MediaRelationsDepartment/highProfileList/index.asp
----

The mystery of the 2nd is solved by the Minute Entry mentioned above, JM will interview 'Defendant's expert' on 9/2 at 9:00 a.m., possibly the 3rd is also for interviewing, here's the link to the M.E.:

http://www.courtminutes.maricopa.gov/docs/Criminal/082014/m6448306.pdf

16 court days allotted for retrial, 300 jurors to be selected from, beginning Sept. 29th at 8:30 a.m.


P.S. Thanks for the thread, LambChop!

I thought the 16 days allotted were for jury selection.. Surely jury selection will take a couple of weeks? I mean we will have the attorney Arias asking the questions. That has to take awhile. Look how long she testified!

 

[katydid23]

Personally, I'd love it if JM just dropped the Death Penalty before the retrial and Judge Stephens immediately sentenced CMJA to LWoP. I can't think of anything that would piss her off more. She would have NO say in that. No amount of histrionics, manipulation or stalling would matter anymore. It would be done, off to Perryville, no State-backed appeal for you, see ya, that's it. And I think that the Alexanders would never have to hear of her again. With the Death Penalty imposed, this would drag on and on for years. ...posted by Miss Judy ===========================================================================================


I TOTALLY agree with you. I posted a similar sentiment way back upthread somewhere. I wish the judge could just end it all now and impose LWOP.

 

[LambChop]

I don't think we should be bashing the judge for granting a delay that apparently was caused by the MCSO not getting with the program, especially since the minute entry released today says that the prosecution did not object to the delay. I suspect JM did not object because he doesn't want to create unnecessary appeal issues any more than the judge does.

ETA: This is not directed at anyone in particular, just the general feeling of the last sidebar thread.

AZLawyer, do the owners of the property have to let the PI in to "investigate" the crime scene. She admitted she retrieved the gun from the closet (her story) and used it on him. There is no doubt about that. Whether or not she brought it, or found it, she still used it against him. And frankly her timeline to get the gun and use it on him after taking the picture with him sitting in the shower just does not line up. jmo

 

[Love Never Fails]

I also don't understand what the crime scene has to do with mitigation. What could be there to show that she was "justified"?

Has Aiken been confirmed as one of her other witnesses? I don't understand how jail conditions or her behavior in jail would be mitigating factors either ( I assume that's what he does?). She's in jail and she's going to prison because of what she did, which has been proven to be premeditated murder. How well she does or adjusts or whatever is irrelevant. She should be sentenced for *what she did.* Not what might happen to her because of what she did.

I'm glad Judge Stephens is being so careful. (Please don't throw things at me!) Nothing would make Arias happier than appeal after appeal. I hate that the Alexander family has had to wait so long for justice. But CMJA *will not stop.* She'll try anything and everything to drag out the sentencing retrial. I'm positive that she's going to try to prove her "innocence," regardless of the fact that it won't be allowed. Something wildly untrue will be stated, it will get objected to by JM and the Judge will tell the Jury that they must disregard it. But once it's said the jury's heard it. And she only needs *one* person to avoid the Death Penalty. Just that ONE. I really don't think she's going to get Death if the retrial goes forward.

I honestly think that a death sentence would be more to her liking anyway. If she gets that, suddenly she's a "victim of the system" and anti-Death-Penalty groups will line up to be sure that she doesn't die. She's got a free appeal on the State's dime. She's still in the spotlight. Poor Jodi and all that. If she were sentenced to LWoP, she's done. Sure she can file an appeal, but there won't be well-funded groups to assist. No one would care. And Judge Stephens has been careful to avoid appeal issues. A year from now, no one would know who the heck she is. I think that's her nightmare: to be locked up and forgotten.

Personally, I'd love it if JM just dropped the Death Penalty before the retrial and Judge Stephens immediately sentenced CMJA to LWoP. I can't think of anything that would piss her off more. She would have NO say in that. No amount of histrionics, manipulation or stalling would matter anymore. It would be done, off to Perryville, no State-backed appeal for you, see ya, that's it. And I think that the Alexanders would never have to hear of her again. With the Death Penalty imposed, this would drag on and on for years.

My 2 cents, MOO and all of that other stuff. I hope I understood this all correctly.

I go back and forth on this one. Jodi is so narcicissistic that trying to think of what she wants is mind boggling. She doesn't really want death. She doesn't really want LWOP. She wants everyone to see that she deserves to be free to kill again. How could any of us figure her out? She will play the victim card until she dies. Period.

 

[krkrjx]

I also don't understand what the crime scene has to do with mitigation. What could be there to show that she was "justified"?
...
And she only needs *one* person to avoid the Death Penalty. Just that ONE. I really don't think she's going to get Death if the retrial goes forward.

I honestly think that a death sentence would be more to her liking anyway. If she gets that, suddenly she's a "victim of the system" and anti-Death-Penalty groups will line up to be sure that she doesn't die. She's got a free appeal on the State's dime. She's still in the spotlight. Poor Jodi and all that. If she were sentenced to LWoP, she's done. Sure she can file an appeal, but there won't be well-funded groups to assist. No one would care. And Judge Stephens has been careful to avoid appeal issues. A year from now, no one would know who the heck she is. I think that's her nightmare: to be locked up and forgotten.

Personally, I'd love it if JM just dropped the Death Penalty before the retrial and Judge Stephens immediately sentenced CMJA to LWoP. I can't think of anything that would piss her off more. She would have NO say in that. No amount of histrionics, manipulation or stalling would matter anymore. It would be done, off to Perryville, no State-backed appeal for you, see ya, that's it. And I think that the Alexanders would never have to hear of her again. With the Death Penalty imposed, this would drag on and on for years.

My 2 cents, MOO and all of that other stuff. I hope I understood this all correctly.

BBM: I would love that too. Close down the circus now, send her to prison and just be done with this creature. Holding out for the pound of flesh is not worth the $$$ that will be wasted to get her to death row and then keep her there. Plus there is too good a possibility that all this time and money spent on retrial will not result in the DP being imposed by the jury.

 

[Tuba]

KTAR News has reported, and all Sleuths know, that Arias will use her privately hired P.I. to obtain statements from those who will substantiate her claim that her victim was rather, an abuser. The P.I. will seek confirmation that she was acting from battered woman's syndrome when she murdered. During the trial which determined her guilt, she was unable to produce lay witnesses who could attest she was battered. Not one, even relative. But she did have a hired "expert" who introduced her to this excuse for retaliation and who testified at length that Arias fit the profile. That did not go well, especially under cross.

Will the convict look to other professionals in this sentencing? Is she going to direct the P.I. to personal contacts who, this time round, are suddenly willing to support that she was bruised and battered or emotionally tormented? My own opinion is that she will be limited to practiced hires, who appear predictably in such cases. Such an expert will say what is expected of him or her.

Also reported, she is claiming innocence. We can understand how such a protest would alienate Nurmi. This may be the core of their conflict this round. He has made clear that he is aware of the realities of June 4.

 

[krkrjx]

I wish I could remember where I read this so I could link it but I can't so I will have to tag it as MOO, but I read somewhere that Nurmi's position was to be that the state was wanting to execute a mentally ill person, and Arias would not have it. This was alleged to be what caused this most recent parting of the ways.

 

[Hez]

Not sure why the investigator needs to get into the home when it is not the same and JA has already been proven guilty of pre-meditated murder. Shouldn't her focus be on the meditation? jmo

With the convict's penchant for smuggling things out of the jail through magazines and her mitigation specialist, how do we know that this 'PI' won't try to 'add' new evidence to the crime scene? I just don't put anything past prisoner P458434. I hope this 'PI' is under strict and complete supervision while he visits the crime scene.

 

[geevee]

I thought the 16 days allotted were for jury selection.. Surely jury selection will take a couple of weeks? I mean we will have the attorney Arias asking the questions. That has to take awhile. Look how long she testified!

I'd have thought so as well but this is a screenshot of that portion of the minute entry:

Sure reads like 16 court days allotted for the whole shebang.

 

[AZlawyer]

AZLawyer, do the owners of the property have to let the PI in to "investigate" the crime scene. She admitted she retrieved the gun from the closet (her story) and used it on him. There is no doubt about that. Whether or not she brought it, or found it, she still used it against him. And frankly her timeline to get the gun and use it on him after taking the picture with him sitting in the shower just does not line up. jmo

I don't think the owners have to let the PI in just because JA (or JM) asks them to. But from the minute entry it seemed like JM thought he could arrange it, so maybe they don't mind.

The category of mitigating factors is so broad that, with most things being under seal at this point, I just can't anticipate why JA's expert wants to see the crime scene.

 

[LambChop]

I don't think the owners have to let the PI in just because JA (or JM) asks them to. But from the minute entry it seemed like JM thought he could arrange it, so maybe they don't mind.

The category of mitigating factors is so broad that, with most things being under seal at this point, I just can't anticipate why JA's expert wants to see the crime scene.

I think it is because Flores and JM successfully proved she was lying with those shelves. Everyone knows what happens to shelves that aren't nailed to the wall. LOL

 

[geevee]

Not to mention criminals are famous for returning to the scene of their crime, and if she can't go in person, send in a second.

I think it has as much to do with her planned appeal of the guilt phase as it does this phase, she's going to need all the ammo she can get and may be more limited once in prison and having to go through the normal appeals process, no?

 

[grammieto5]

I've been trying to think of reasons why JA would want "her" PI to have access to the crime scene. The only thing I keep coming back to, is because she can. She's the criminal, she has the right to do/say whatever she wants. I wonder if she will demand/request to have the jury visit the crime scene. Will she demand to go there also. I'm so sick of this circus, I'm so sick of paying for this <modsnip>! This needs to end. Put the criminal in prison, let her rot there for the rest of useless life. Well, now that felt pretty darn good! I must apologize to all dogs! Your <modsnip> better than JA.

 

[Love Never Fails]

KTAR News has reported, and all Sleuths know, that Arias will use her privately hired P.I. to obtain statements from those who will substantiate her claim that her victim was rather, an abuser. The P.I. will seek confirmation that she was acting from battered woman's syndrome when she murdered. During the trial which determined her guilt, she was unable to produce lay witnesses who could attest she was battered. Not one, even relative. But she did have a hired "expert" who introduced her to this excuse for retaliation and who testified at length that Arias fit the profile. That did not go well, especially under cross.

Will the convict look to other professionals in this sentencing? Is she going to direct the P.I. to personal contacts who, this time round, are suddenly willing to support that she was bruised and battered or emotionally tormented? My own opinion is that she will be limited to practiced hires, who appear predictably in such cases. Such an expert will say what is expected of him or her.

Also reported, she is claiming innocence. We can understand how such a protest would alienate Nurmi. This may be the core of their conflict this round. He has made clear that he is aware of the realities of June 4.

We are ALL aware of the realities of June 4th. Surely Wilmott is sick of her too!

 

[Tuba]

geevee, I like your deduction that the convict wants (on many levels) to return to the scene of the crime, & is doing this by proxy. I think she has an extremely powerful urge to redo what was exposed that she did do, and make it not true. She is absorbed in the effort to expunge the whole monstrosity. So many incriminating overlooked details! She has always blamed The Other for every undesirable happening in her life. In fact, she will not brook any interpretation but that responsibility lies elsewhere.

Despite a surfeit of lies and a high pressure breathless flight from the murder, she ultimately was induced by piercing probes to confess to the torture and murder in all its ghastly detail. If only she had not been so dramatically and publicly caught out, eh? We see, as she represents herself, that she likes to direct the action. But it's too late to clear the set and the production is in the can.

 

[LambChop]

She probably needs the PI to find her ex boyfriends. jmo