Arizona authorities say they’ve arrested a New York man accused of making threats on Twitter against two Turner Broadcasting anchors who infuriated him with their coverage of the Jodi Arias trial.
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Arias defense tries to discredit state witness
Testimony resumes in Jodi Arias‘ murder trial as a defense attorney attacks the credibility of a prosecution witness who says the defendant wasn’t a battered woman and doesn’t suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Clinical psychologist Janeen DeMarte has been on the stand since Tuesday after the defense rested its case. The prosecutor is now calling rebuttal witnesses.
DeMarte is working to discredit defense experts who diagnosed Arias with PTSD, amnesia and battered woman’s syndrome.
DeMarte resumes testimony Thursday after explaining this week Arias suffers from none of the disorders.
Arias claims self-defense but faces a potential death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in Travis Alexander‘s 2008 killing.
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Brian Skoloff can be followed at https://twitter.com/bskoloff
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/VrxJe715xtg/
Defense rests case in Jodi Arias murder trial
Defense attorneys in Jodi Arias‘ murder trial rested their case Tuesday after about 2 1/2 months of testimony aimed at portraying the defendant as a victim of domestic violence who was forced to fight for her life on the day she killed her one-time boyfriend.
The trial is expected to continue at least several more weeks before jurors begin deliberations. Testimony in the trial began in early January with opening statements, followed by the prosecutor making quick work of the state’s case, concluding in less than two weeks. Defense attorneys began calling witnesses on Jan. 29.
“At this point, the defense rests,” attorney Kirk Nurmi told the judge as the day began Tuesday.
The move came a day after Arias’ attorneys sought to admit as evidence a photograph of the victim taken by Arias in the final minutes of his life. A defense expert was prepared to testify that when digitally enhanced, a figure, presumably Arias, can be seen reflected in the victim’s eyeball holding a camera, not any weapons.
Prosecutor Juan Martinez vigorously fought to keep the jury from hearing the testimony, but after several hours of arguments, he merely stipulated that the figure in the reflection is, indeed, holding a camera, not a gun or a knife.
Arias faces a possible death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in the June 2008 killing of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home.
Authorities say she planned the attack in a jealous rage. Arias initially denied involvement then blamed it on two masked intruders. Two years after her arrest, she said it was self-defense.
Arias testified that she was taking provocative pictures of Alexander in the shower when she dropped his camera and he became enraged, forcing her to defend herself.
Alexander suffered nearly 30 knife wounds, was shot in the head and had his throat slit. Arias’ palm print was found in blood at the scene, along with nude photos of her and the victim from the day of the killing.
Arias said she recalls Alexander attacking her in a fury. She said she ran into his closet to retrieve a gun he kept on a shelf and fired in self-defense but has no memory of stabbing him.
She acknowledged trying to clean the scene, dumping the gun in the desert and working on an alibi to avoid suspicion.
Arias’ grandparents reported a .25-caliber handgun stolen from their Northern California home about a week before Alexander’s death — the same caliber used to shoot him — but Arias said she didn’t take it. Authorities believe she brought it with her to kill the victim.
Later Tuesday, Martinez began calling rebuttal witnesses starting with a state-hired clinical psychologist who evaluated Arias, as the prosecutor works to discredit two key defense witnesses — one who diagnosed Arias with post-traumatic stress disorder and amnesia and another who said the defendant suffers from battered woman’s syndrome.
Martinez accused both defense witnesses of shoddy work, and of basing their opinions on biased findings after forming relationships with Arias.
Arizona clinical psychologist Janeen DeMarte first addressed the more than
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/WTVxpaQzVKU/
Defense nearly done with case in Jodi Arias trial
The defense is nearing the end of its case in the Jodi Arias murder trial that’s been going on in Phoenix for more than three months.
The prosecutor and defense have presented dueling portraits of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander — that of a man who feared for his life and a manipulative liar who courted multiple women while claiming to be a virgin.
Both sides also have presented conflicting portraits of Arias, as the defense works to show she’s a domestic abuse victim who was forced to fight for her life while prosecutors say she was a scorned lover who planned his killing.
Arias claims self-defense but faces a potential death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in Alexander’s 2008 killing.
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Brian Skoloff can be followed at https://twitter.com/bskoloff
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/_8kcgIZyego/
Photos of victim in Arias trial take center stage
Defense lawyers and the prosecutor in the Jodi Arias trial had a series of sharp exchanges Monday over allegations of attorney misconduct and whether digitally enhanced photos of the victim should be presented for the jury as it decides whether to convict the former waitress and aspiring photographer of murder.
The arguments between prosecutor Juan Martinez and defense lawyer Kirk Nurmi showed how acrimonious the trial has become between the two sides after more than three months of testimony.
Nurmi claimed that the prosecutor committed misconduct by bullying a key defense witness. Martinez used the words “voodoo” and “fantastical” to describe a last-minute defense effort to admit digitally enhanced photos of the victim.
“This isn’t second grade. It’s a court of law,” Nurmi said.
The jury was not present as the judge heard arguments on several issues.
The one that elicited the most colorful response was a defense effort to allow jurors to see enhanced images of Travis Alexander just before he was stabbed and shot to death.
Arias took several photographs of Alexander on the day he was killed in 2008. A defense expert claims that he can see a reflection of a person in the eye of Alexander in one digitally enhanced image. Nurmi said the image shows Arias with both hands on the camera — and not holding a knife that she used to kill Alexander.
The splotchy image is impossible to interpret with the naked eye, and Martinez ripped the defense team for trying to introduce it as evidence. He said he sees what he thinks is Alexander’s dog in the reflection. He said other people might see completely different things, whether it’s different breeds of dogs or even gophers.
“It’s the state’s position that this is really voodoo,” he said.
The judge did not immediately rule on whether to allow the images.
Arias has said that she killed Alexander in self-defense, fearing for her life.
Prosecutors claim it was premeditated murder that should result in a death sentence. The defense is hoping to spare Arias’ life, and get an unlikely acquittal or a conviction on a lesser charge and a prison
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/XUbgi101xN4/
Another juror released from Arias murder trial
Another juror has been released from the high-profile Jodi Arias murder trial in Phoenix.
Maricopa County Superior Court officials say Juror No. 11 was excused Friday because of health reasons.
Last week, another juror was dismissed for allegedly taking about the trial outside of court.
That leaves the jury with 11 men and six women. Twelve jurors eventually will be selected at random to decide the fate of Arias.
Arias says she killed her lover in self-defense at his suburban Phoenix home in 2008. Prosecutors say Arias planned the attack in a jealous rage.
She faces a possible death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder.
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/wO66VgsupY0/
Jodi Arias uses website to sell art as murder trial continues
Jodi Arias is apparently profiting from the notoriety she has received since being accused of killing her one-time boyfriend, selling drawings from jail on a website operated by a third party.
The website, which also accepts donations, purports to offer her original art work, noting authenticity in the form of the following: “All pieces created after January 26, 2013 are authenticated with Jodi Arias‘ right thumbprint.”
Her mother, Sandra Arias, said the site is, indeed, Jodi’s. The money is being used to help pay for family expenses while attending the trial, she said Thursday.
Asked if the drawings are selling well, Sandra Arias replied, “Oh yeah.”
She declined to discuss it further. The Associated Press was unable to confirm the third party.
The site claims to have sold several pieces, including a drawing of Frank Sinatra for $1,075. One piece is being offered for $2,000, shipping included.
No law prevents Arias from profiting from her notoriety given she hasn’t been convicted of a crime.
Sgt. Brandon Jones of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said inmates aren’t allowed to sell items while incarcerated and don’t have access to computers.
However, Jones added, she has access to pencils and paper and there is nothing to prevent Arias from using a third party to sell her work.
“She could draw those pictures, but I can’t tell you whether they are truly hers or whether this is someone trying to make money off her,” Jones said.
He also said the sheriff’s office just learned of a Twitter account bearing Arias’ name and is examining its options for confronting the situation.
“This doesn’t sit well with us,” Jones said.
A woman in the gallery says she is tweeting on Arias’ behalf. The comments are often attacks on the prosecutor and cable TV pundits who expound on the trial daily. The Associated Press, however, has not confirmed the authenticity of the Arias Twitter account.
“She’ll call and say `I have a quote.’ We’ll talk about it. Sometimes she says `let’s tweet.’ And then she’ll say `no let’s not do it,”‘ Donavan Bering told Fox affiliate KSAZ in Phoenix.
“I think it’s a way of her getting out her frustration, because she doesn’t have a chance to say much,” said Donavan, who claims she is operating Arias’ Twitter page.
The trial has dragged on for more than three months, and has at times devolved into bizarre testimony about graphic sexual encounters and fairy tales.
The case has grown into a worldwide sensation as thousands follow the trial via a live, unedited web feed. Twitter has blown up with comments, as spectators express their opinions on everything from Arias’ wardrobe to Martinez’s angry demeanor. For its fans, the Arias trial has become a live daytime soap opera.
“I just got caught up in all of it,” said Kathy Brown, 49, who is a regular attendee.
She said she has a cousin on death row, and started coming to watch the trial out of curiosity.
“It’s just interesting and fascinating,” Brown said Thursday.
A few weeks ago, as several dozen trial fans gathered outside the courthouse, Brown approached prosecutor
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/ZTlrc_Tmjjw/
Accused killer-turned-artist Jodi Arias sells are for money from jail, mother says
Jodi Arias is apparently profiting from the notoriety she has received since killing her one-time boyfriend, selling drawings from jail on a website operated by a third party, her mother said Thursday.
The website, which also accepts donations, offers her original art work, noting authenticity in the form of the following: “All pieces created after January 26, 2013 are authenticated with Jodi Arias‘ right thumbprint.”
Her mother, Sandra Arias, said the site is, indeed, Jodi’s. The money is being used to help pay for family expenses while attending the trial, she said.
Asked if the drawings are selling well, Sandra Arias replied, “Oh yeah.
She declined to discuss it further.
The site claims to have sold several pieces, including a drawing of Frank Sinatra for $1,075. One piece is being offered for $2,000, shipping included.
No law prevents Arias from profiting from her notoriety given she hasn’t been convicted of a crime.
Sgt. Brandon Jones of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said inmates aren’t allowed to sell items while incarcerated and don’t have access to computers.
However, Jones added, she has access to pencils and paper and there is nothing to prevent Arias from using a third party to sell her work.
“She could draw those pictures, but I can’t tell you whether they are truly hers or whether this is someone trying to make money off her,” Jones said.
He also said the sheriff’s office just learned of a Twitter account bearing Arias’ name and is examining its options for confronting the situation.
“This doesn’t sit well with us,” Jones said.
A woman in the gallery says she is tweeting on Arias’ behalf. The comments are often attacks on the prosecutor and cable TV pundits who expound on the trial daily. The Associated Press, however, has not confirmed the authenticity of the Arias Twitter account.
“She’ll call and say `I have a quote.’ We’ll talk about it. Sometimes she says `let’s tweet.’ And then she’ll say `no let’s not do it,”‘ Donavan Bering told Fox affiliate KSAZ in Phoenix.
“I think it’s a way of her getting out her frustration, because she doesn’t have a chance to say much,” said Donavan, who claims she is operating Arias’ Twitter page.
The trial has dragged on for more than three months, and has at times devolved into bizarre testimony about graphic sexual encounters and fairy tales.
The case has grown into a worldwide sensation as thousands follow the trial via a live, unedited web feed. Twitter has blown up with comments, as spectators express their opinions on everything from Arias’ wardrobe to Martinez’s angry demeanor. For its fans, the Arias trial has become a live daytime soap opera.
“I just got caught up in all of it,” said Kathy Brown, 49, who is a regular attendee.
She said she has a cousin on death row, and started coming to watch the trial out of curiosity.
“It’s just interesting and fascinating,” Brown said Thursday.
A few weeks ago, as several dozen trial fans gathered outside the courthouse, Brown approached prosecutor Juan Martinez and had him autograph her cane.
“I just love watching him,”
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/ZugrvQc6u3E/
Jodi Arias reportedly tweeting from behind bars
The Arizona woman at the center of one of the nation’s most high-profile murder trials is reportedly tweeting from behind bars.
MyFoxPhoenix.com reports that Jodi Arias, who has admitted to killing her boyfriend in 2008, has been communicating with hundreds of followers via her Twitter account since February.
The account is managed by Arias’ friend, Donavan Bering, who updates the account with messages from Arias after speaking to the accused killer on the phone, the station reported.
Some of the tweets are believed to be directed at Juan Martinez, the prosecutor in Arias’ murder trial. Martinez has attempted to portray Arias as a manipulative liar.
“Hmm… Anger Management problems anyone?,” reads one of the tweets on the account. Another tweet reads, “Those afflicted with Little Man’s Syndrome taint society’s perception of genuinely good men who happen to be vertically challenged.”
On Wednesday night, Bering reportedly posted a link to Arias’ personal website, where she is selling and holding auctions for artwork.
Arias says the killing was self-defense, and that on the day of Travis Alexander‘s death in June 2008 at his suburban Phoenix home, he attacked her and she was forced to fight for her life.
However, no other evidence — other than Arias’ accounts — have been presented at trial showing Alexander had ever been physically violent.
Authorities say Arias planned the attack. She initially denied involvement then blamed it on masked intruders. Two years after her arrest, she said it was self-defense.
She faces a possible death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder.
A Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman told MyFoxPhoenix.com they are aware of the activity on the Twitter account but are unable to do anything about it.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Click here for more from MyFoxPhoenix.com.
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/JTCYlLW6fzI/
Testimony resumes in the Jodi Arias murder trial
Testimony is set to resume in the Jodi Arias murder trial as the prosecutor works to undermine the credibility of a defense witness who he accuses of being biased.
Psychotherapist Alyce LaViolette (la-VY‘-oh-let) has been testifying for more than a week about her conclusion that Arias suffered domestic abuse by the victim.
Prosecutor Juan Martinez on Monday noted how the woman apologized to Arias upon their first meeting for having read her journals. LaViolette denied the accusations. She resumes testimony Tuesday.
Arias faces a possible death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in the June 2008 killing of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home.
Authorities say she planned the attack in a jealous rage. Arias first denied any involvement, and later said it was self-defense.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News
Exchanges heat up between prosecutor, psyche expert during Arias trial
Testimony has concluded for the day in Jodi Arias‘ murder trial as the prosecutor worked to undermine a defense witness’ credibility and accused her of being biased.
Psychotherapist Alyce LaViolette has been testifying for more than a week about her conclusion that Arias suffered domestic abuse by the victim.
Prosecutor Juan Martinez accused her on Monday of being biased, noting how the woman apologized to Arias upon their first meeting for having read her journals. LaViolette denied the accusations. She resumes testimony Tuesday.
Arias faces a possible death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in the 2008 killing of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home. Authorities say she planned the attack in a jealous rage, but Arias says it was self-defense.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News
Jodi Arias Trial: Snow White Battering, Heated Exchanges Highlight Day 41
By The Huffington Post News Editors
The prosecutor in Jodi Arias‘ murder trial on Thursday attacked a defense expert who said Arias is a victim of domestic violence, saying the expert once concluded Snow White was a battered woman.
Arizona prosecutor Juan Martinez challenged domestic violence expert Alyce LaViolette’s opinion that Arias was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her former boyfriend, slaying victim Travis Alexander, 30. LaViolette gave a presentation in 2012 that found Snow White was a battered woman, which the prosecutor said shows the expert can find abuse in situations she knows very little about, including “myths.”
“What this shows us is that even if it’s a myth — all made up — you can come up with the opinion that the person is a victim of domestic violence,” Martinez said.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post
Jodi Arias Trial: Heated Exchanges Highlight Day 41
By The Huffington Post News Editors
Robust jousting between a key defense witness and the prosecutor highlighted Thursday’s court hearing in the first-degree murder trial of accused ex-boyfriend slayer Jodi Arias.
Arizona prosecutor Juan Martinez again went on the offensive, challenging domestic violence expert Alyce LaViolette’s opinion that Arias was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Travis Alexander.
“Basically a clinical interview is you sitting across from the person that may or may not be a victim of battering and … you interview them?” Martinez asked of LaViolette’s evaluation techniques.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post
Testimony resumes in Arias murder trial
Testimony in Jodi Arias‘ murder trial resumes with a domestic violence expert on the witness stand.
This week has been marked by a defense motion for a mistrial and the dismissal of a juror.
Defense lawyers say the juror made comments about the case to a fellow panelist that raised questions about her impartiality. The move leaves five alternate jurors, in addition to the 12 who will decide the case. The judge denied the mistrial motion.
Testimony has been ongoing for three months.
Arias faces a potential death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in the 2008 killing of her lover in his suburban Phoenix home. She says it was self-defense, but prosecutors say she planned the attack on Travis Alexander in a jealous rage.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News
Domestic violence expert testifies in Jodi Arias murder trial
A domestic violence expert is testifying in Jodi Arias‘ murder trial that the defendant was vulnerable at the time she met the victim and had a hard time declining his sexual advances.
Psychotherapist Alyce LaViolette says she spent more than 40 hours interviewing Arias. She says Arias had a difficult childhood and grew up with little self-esteem.
Arias faces a possible death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in the June 2008 killing of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home.
Authorities say she planned the attack on her lover in a jealous rage. Arias initially told authorities she had nothing to do with it then said it was self-defense.
Arias says Alexander grew physically abusive prior to his death, but no evidence at trial has supported her claims.
Is Jodi Arias A Victim Of Domestic Violence? (LIVE UPDATES)
By The Huffington Post News Editors
Just how badly did Travis Alexander abuse Jodi Arias, if at all? And to what extend did his bad behavior contribute to his own death at the hands of his estranged girlfriend?
These questions come into the spotlight at the Arizona courtroom where Arias faces a possible death sentence, as the testimony resumes of domestic violence expert Alyce LaViolette.
LaViolette took the stand in the afternoon Monday, after forensic psychologist Richard Samuels concluded his 6th day of testimony, answering questions about various forms of abuse in relationships.
Expert returns to stand in Jodi Arias murder trial
A defense expert who diagnosed Jodi Arias with post-traumatic stress disorder and amnesia returns to the witness stand for a sixth day of testimony.
Arias faces a possible death sentence if convicted of first-degree murder in the 2008 killing of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home. Authorities say she planned the attack on her lover. Arias initially told authorities she had nothing to do with it then blamed it on masked intruders. She later said it was self-defense.
Psychologist Richard Samuels answered more than 100 jurors questions last week, most focused on Arias’ lies and how Samuels could be sure she is telling the truth now.
Arizona is one of a few states where jurors have a legal right to query witnesses through written questions read by the judge.
Fox News Poll: Voters Want Courtroom Cameras
From OJ Simpson to Jodi Arias, television viewers are used to cameras in big criminal trials. A majority of American voters wants to be able to tune into the U.S. Supreme Court, too.
Testimony resumes in Jodi Arias murder trial
Testimony is set to resume in Jodi Arias‘ murder trial after her defense attorney worked to undo any damage done to the credibility of an expert witness who diagnosed the defendant with post-traumatic stress disorder and amnesia.
Psychologist Richard Samuels underwent a cross-examination by the prosecutor who called into question his techniques and testing procedures.
Samuels was set to return to the witness stand Thursday to respond to juror questions, something allowed in Arizona criminal trials.
Arias could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in the June 2008 killing of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home. Authorities say she planned the attack on her lover. Arias initially said she had nothing to do with it then blamed it on masked intruders. She eventually said it was self-defense.
Defense Expert Admits Arias Told Lies
AP
The sensational murder trial has hinged on Jodi Arias‘ flurry of lies, and the defense’s own expert witness said she’s told plenty of them.Why he claims those lies are ‘not critical’
…read more
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