Retrial for Sentencing of Jodi Arias - Day 6- Part 2

[bznbear]

Read through the posts from the last few days. Interesting to watch the speculation at the beginning of all of this.

Because everything related to this recent development of shuttering the court in darkness is now sealed, there is no way to know what Nurmi argued as the basis for making such a request. Perhaps things will become clearer after the issue is appealed and hopefully there will be an end to all of this secrecy.

This whole case has been nothing but twists and turns that defy both logic and usual court proceedings. Throwing out some random pieces, I still cannot connect the dots:

• On 10/6, Arias tried to submit a written pro per motion to the court, but was quickly shot down because she was no longer representing herself. Stephens said another judge would hear the motion and this disappeared off the radar, never hitting the docket.
• A new pro per motion dated 10/20 was recorded on the docket on 10/30. The motion to change counsel was heard ex parte and a ruling was made. Since Nurmi is still acting as counsel, it appears that this motion was denied.
• Nurmi and Arias cited strategic differences for presenting the mitigation case. Is her testifying at the heart of this?
• The timing of the motion to seal the court is suspect to me. If Nurmi knew of concerns for this witness, why did he wait until the last minute?
• The fact that JSS vacillated with protecting this witness or their testimony seems odd. The initial announcement was that testimony could be viewed from the overflow room, and ultimately ended up with everything shut down, including the transcript being sealed until after the verdict.

For those posters living in Arizona, what is the media coverage like now? From what I can see on the web, there are not many outlets covering this now and it seems like the audience is now mostly trial watchers and not a large part of the general public.

My sense is that the direct parties in this have lost perspective; what testimony could possibly be so explosive as to make Arias the center of the universe where tainting of the jury is almost guaranteed?

In my view, the tainting of the jury is indefensible. They have their marching orders - no reading/watching any media reports. If Nurmi argued that point, and we know he has on occasion, he's blatantly saying he doesn't trust the jurors integrity to follow the court's admonitions. How would the jurors then view Nurmi's low opinion of them.

 

[ElleElle]

From Thursday:

William Pitts ‏@william_pitts · Oct 30
Viewing room is also closed. Video will be sealed.

William Pitts ‏@william_pitts · Oct 30
ICYMI: Judge ruled we can't know who's testifying. Court closed, viewing room closed. Testimony will be recorded but sealed. No cameras.
----

BBM

If The Court of Appeals doesn't overturn JSS' ruling, it's possible this testimony could remain sealed until JA's appeals are heard and ruled on, imo. I believe her goal is to never let the public see whatever she plans to lie/admit to during this retrial.

I have a feeling she's out of the fog. Just all seems really weird and non - procedural.

 

[Foghorn]

If JSS knew what she was doing, JA would already be sitting in her cell on death row working on her appeals. IMO

I am still waiting for something other than these reports to Hayden. I'm hoping he's been duped, and that JSS wasn't really willing to cave in to blackmail by a convicted murderer. A fair trial is supposed to be fair to both sides, with the state representing both the victim and the people. Very little in this courtroom has been fair, and from what I see it's JA who has now taken the role as victim, instead of the good man she murdered.

I agree with your sentiments regarding CMJA, LinTX--wholeheartedly, I am just not ready to blame JSS for the previous jury foreman. MOO

As I stated earlier, I question many of JSS' rulings and many have infuriated me and as I stated earlier, I do have faith that this jury and Juan will prevail--in spite of everything and everybody else.

 

[Hope4More]

Ocean....or, she's using the decision to make herself look like she's trying to do everything she can to protect Travis, as she always tried to do.

 

[lilyet]

Your last sentence...how did the networks know? This is very bothersome to me. Since no one in the courtroom but staff, attys a jury and JA, why were there leaks to the press? And how could CNN know in advance? Again.....is there a justice system in America anymore? Think of it! And are the judges and prosecutors a part of it? Too scary for me to entertain.

I'm just speculating that the media may have been given a heads up as a courtesy which suggested that maybe they should pull out for awhile yet were not told specifically why and agreed to keep quiet, I would not see that as unusual. The timing is interesting

 

[Hope4More]

Just catching up this morning, so this post might be out of the loop.

I'm with LinTX and others who don't buy it. It just doesn't make sense, legally or strategically. I'm also suspicious that the information that JA is testifying came from someone who "bumped into" the courtroom. Um, courtrooms have guards, no? I highly doubt that someone could just accidentally walk into a closed courtroom.

All just my own humble opinion, of course. :moo:

No one walked into a sealed court room accidentally. So, its a rumor being promoted as fact, or someone who knew she was testifying leaked and invented a cover story.

 

[fifteen89]

Consider this possibility, if it was CMJA on the stand yesterday. Warning- its twisted.

Add it up. Remorse is added to her mitigators this time. Nurmi's opening dwelt upon Travis loving her, and she him-- also a new twist.

Her one consistent storyline, from on the stand to the post conviction interview and beyond is that she didn't WANT to destroy Travis' reputation by telling the truth about him on the stand. That she had no choice. That she had to respond to the questions being asked by her attys.

See where this is going?

She also told the guilt-phase jury that the lies she told could be traced back to her not wanting to admit she killed him AND to her wanting to protect Travis' reputation. Yeah. Right. Then she told the pedo lies.

 

[ElleElle]

https://mobile.twitter.com/strong4895/status/528560127214112770/photo/1

 

[Hope4More]

No matter who did or did not testify, or what the Appeals court rules, or who else testifies, or what the jury believes, or if JSS retires or is booted, or whether or not the soulless nutjobs attacking the Alexanders find therapy or God, this farce WILL be over soon, she WILL be going to Perryville, she WILL be in isolation for at least 5 years, and the world WILL move on and forget her, leaving her alone and with no means to create drama again, ever. The End.

 

[Nosey Parker]

No one walked into a sealed court room accidentally. So, its a rumor being promoted as fact, or someone who knew she was testifying leaked and invented a cover story.

Or ... a typical ruse to cover a journalist's 'source'. Amidst all this chaos, has Nurmi filed another motion for mistrial based on prosecutoral misconduct? You know he's going to blame Juan or Flores for the 'leak'!

ETA: He can't claim jury tainting - they are sitting there watching and listening to the 'mystery' witness.

 

[grammieto5]

This all makes a lot of sense to me. JA refuses to testify unless the court is closed, which would be unprecedented and come very close to violating the Constitution if JSS allows it. I bet the killer was expecting and hoping for JSS to deny her request, uphold the constitution and thus give her a stronger foundation on which to appeal, since she wasn't allowed to testify in her defense, in the way she felt most mitigated her.

What's very interesting, though, is that now that JSS has surprised everyone, including the killer, and approved her request, all of a sudden, there is a "leak", corroborated by 3 witnesses (!) that it is actually the killer who is the "mystery" witness. This is the second best grounds for appeal, since the identity was sealed and was supposed to remain a secret.

P.S. I had always strongly suspected the witness was JA, because who else would demand that the constitution itself be bent to her will? It all fits so perfectly, and shows just how desperate she is to avoid justice. An effort that's not working out too well for her, thankfully.

And the three witnesses/leaked by would be, KN JW and MD(mitigation specialist)

 

[fifteen89]

https://mobile.twitter.com/strong4895/status/528560127214112770/photo/1

Those socks definitely make the shoes pop.

 

[krkrjx]

Consider this possibility, if it was CMJA on the stand yesterday. Warning- its twisted.

Add it up. Remorse is added to her mitigators this time. Nurmi's opening dwelt upon Travis loving her, and she him-- also a new twist.

Her one consistent storyline, from on the stand to the post conviction interview and beyond is that she didn't WANT to destroy Travis' reputation by telling the truth about him on the stand. That she had no choice. That she had to respond to the questions being asked by her attys.

See where this is going?

Yes, we see. Also consider that after she was found guilty she was told by her attorneys that she had no mitigators. Her words were something like, "I guess my parents didn't beat me hard enough."

I think she will slime everyone...whatever it takes, she has nothing to lose by doing this and all it takes is one juror to think it might be true. I bet if she goes the parental abuse route she will not stop with physical abuse. Also consider that maybe her family said OK to this if it could be done in private. I cannot shake the idea that she would want the biggest audience she could get if her sole intent were to further slander Travis

Like everyone else though, I am speculating.

 

[Hope4More]

Those socks definitely make the shoes pop.

That pic just made my day. Her reality, stripped of any illusion of control.

 

[twomanywords]

https://mobile.twitter.com/strong4895/status/528560127214112770/photo/1

Gosh that's so debasing! I love it!
She does not look like a happy camper there. Slice of her daily life revealed to all of us. What a loser.

 

[Hope4More]

Yes, we see. Also consider that after she was found guilty she was told by her attorneys that she had no mitigators. Her words were something like, "I guess my parents didn't beat me hard enough."

I think she will slime everyone...whatever it takes, she has nothing to lose by doing this and all it takes is one juror to think it might be true. I bet if she goes the parental abuse route she will not stop with physical abuse. Also consider that maybe her family said OK to this if it could be done in private. I cannot shake the idea that she would want the biggest audience she could get if her sole intent were to further slander Travis

Like everyone else though, I am speculating.

She 'd know she'd get that audience to slime Travis. Maybe an even larger one, because of the manufactured drama.

AND she gets a shot at manipulating the jury into thinking she cares about sullying Travis ' reputation. A reluctant witness.

 

[krkrjx]

I wonder why the tweet with that pic says they would not be surprised if Hayden were slapped with contempt of court charges on Monday. Would that be for tweeting the witness was actually JA? Because he was not the only one tweeting that. It can't be for the photo--because the photo is not new.

 

[bznbear]

AZlawyer,
I have been catching up in the past hour. Glad you are here. Please hang around as much as possible. It's good to know you know AZ law. We are all just guessing. Thanks for your posts. Yes I do get aggravated with JSS and her rulings but I always appreciate your opinions and expertise. Thanks.

I vote we put AZL on retainer!!!

 

[krkrjx]

She 'd know she'd get that audience to slime Travis. Maybe an even larger one, because of the manufactured drama.

AND she gets a shot at manipulating the jury into thinking she cares about sullying Travis ' reputation. A reluctant witness.

Wow. So much drama for the pleasure of spending the rest of her life in prison. Even if she gets the death penalty it will be Life...because I just do not see it ever being carried out. JMO.

 

[Nosey Parker]

I vote we put AZL on retainer!!!

:ditto: