Arizona appeals court ends bid for freedom by Jodi Arias, 39 – upholds conviction and life sentence for 2008 savage murder of her boyfriend, but slams lead prosecutor’s ‘bullying behavior’ during trial
Jodi Arias, 39, Arias, is serving a life sentence for her first-degree murder conviction in the 2008 death of Travis Alexander at his home in Mesa
The Arizona appeals court upheld her 2013 conviction and 2015, life sentence for murdering her boyfriend – in a fit of jealousy
While slamming the lead prosecutor for his ‘bullying behavior’ during trial, agreed with defense argument that egregious prosecutorial misconduct did not outweigh Arias’ guilt
Judges noted that prosecutor Juan Martinez engaged in self-promotion during trial and acted like bully while questioning witnesses
After years of denial Arias had admitted to killing Alexander but claimed she acted in self-defense after he attacked her
The victim was stabbed nearly 30 times, had his throat slit and was shot in the head
Prosecutors have said Arias violently attacked Alexander in a jealous rage after he wanted to end their affair and planned a trip to Mexico with another woman
Murder conviction and life sentence upheld: Arizona Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld Jodi Arias’ first-degree murder conviction and life prison sentence in the gruesome 2008 killing of her former boyfriend Travis Alexander
Arias’ lawyers had argued that Maricopa County prosecutor Juan Martinez’s misconduct and a judge’s failure to control news coverage during the case deprived her of the right to a fair trial.
But the three-member appeals court, in a 29-page opinion, unanimously concluded that prosecutor Juan Martinez’s conduct in the case didn’t outweigh the defendant’s guilt.
Arias, seen [left], in court during her trial in 2015, is serving a life sentence for her first-degree murder conviction in the 2008 death of Travis Alexander at his home in Mesa, Arizona
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Jodi Arias, [right], has acknowledged killing her estranged boyfriend Alexander [left], in a savage attack inside his home, but claimed she acted in self-defense after he attacked her
‘We conclude that Arias was convicted based upon the overwhelming evidence of her guilt, not as a result of prosecutorial misconduct,’ the ruling said.
However, it noted ‘an egregious case of misconduct by a highly experienced prosecutor’ who ‘improperly engaged in self-promoting conduct.’
The panel condemned Martinez’s ‘argumentative phrasing of questions’ to defense witnesses, adding that his ‘aggressive tone and combative, bullying behavior’ were recurring issues in the trial and Arias’ attorneys moved for a mistrial six times.
‘We strongly disapprove of his actions, we are compelled to follow the well-established principle that we do not “reverse convictions merely to punish a prosecutor’s misdeeds.”‘
Assistant AG Terry M. Crist, [standing left], last October argued before Arizona Court of Appeals judges L-R Kenton Jones, Jennifer B. Campbell and Michael Brown, that prosecutorial misconduct should not overturn the murder conviction in the Jodi Arias trial
Appeals judges blasted lead prosecutor Juan Martinez [photo], for his ‘egregious’ behavior during the trial, saying that he ‘improperly engaged in self-promoting conduct’. The unanimous opinion of the three-member appeals court, was that Martinez’s conduct in the case didn’t outweigh the defendant’s guilt
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office applauded the appeals court’s ruling.
‘I am pleased with the court’s decision to affirm the conviction of someone who committed a brutal murder,’ Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel said in a statement to The Arizona Republic.
Arias, 39, was convicted of killing ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander at his home in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa. Prosecutors have said Arias violently attacked Alexander in a jealous rage after he wanted to end their affair and planned a trip to Mexico with another woman.
Arias has acknowledged killing Alexander but claimed she acted in self-defense after he attacked her. He was stabbed nearly 30 times, had his throat slit and was shot in the head.
Prosecutors have said Arias [photo], violently attacked Alexander in a jealous rage after he wanted to end their affair and planned a trip to Mexico with another woman
In their 29-page opinion the Judges cited how the lower court allowed a livestream of the trial to be broadcast and alleged that media coverage influenced the jury.
Arias’ lawyers claimed the trial had a “carnival-like atmosphere” and argued to the Court of Appeals that publicity during the trial — but not before — contributed to her conviction.
However, the judges noted Arias’ own interactions with the media. They listed at least three times when she conducted interviews during oral arguments.
Blood Evidence: Grisly crime scene photos like this one were released to the public and shown on TV. After holding out for years Arias finally recanted and admitted to the killing. In the face of a mountain of evidence, Arias acknowledged killing Alexander but claimed it was self-defense after he attacked her
Crime of passion: A photo of the pool of blood is seen in the shower inside the victim’s home was shown to jurors during the trial. Travis Alexander was stabbed nearly 30 times. Hi was shot and had his throat slashed
Jodi Arias was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. She was convicted in 2015. 20/20 set to air never-before-seen footage of Jodi Arias. Curiously while unwilling to take the stand and testify during her sentencing retrial, Arias, seen with the victim [photo], actively courted media attention from the point she was arrested.Incarceration apparently, has not slowed her down either
The guilt phase of Arias’ trial ended in 2013 with jurors convicting her of murder but deadlocking on punishment. A second sentencing trial ended in early 2015 with another jury deadlock, leading a judge to sentence Arias to life.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office moved to fire Martinez earlier this year after suspending him. He was accused of leaking a juror’s name in the Arias case to a blogger and then lying about it, and he also has faced multiple claims of sexual harassment, which he has denied.
But the dismissal was stayed pending his appeal under civil service protections. Martinez has been a county prosecutor for 30 years.
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