Twist in Arias Case
Published: 23 May 2013 Abiodun Giwa

Jody Arias
Judge Stephens Sherry has declared a mistrial in the penalty phase of Jody Arias trial and a retrial set for July. Reports monitored from New York said that since the jurors were deadlocked on Wednesday and could not arrive at a decision on Thursday, the judge resorted to the application of the Arizona law.
The law says where the jurors cannot arrive at a decision, another panel of jurors will be set up to deliberate on the matter. And where a reconstituted juror cannot arrive at a decision, the ball will then be in the judge's court to sentence the defendant to prison for life.
The judge had told the first panel that it was their responsibilty to determine Arias fate and their decision would not be a recomendation.
Arias had said in a newspaper interview that she would prefer to die and put the burden behind her. But in a courtroom testimony later, she said she will prefer prison for life to save her family from the pain that will accompany her death.
Before the defendant was found guilty for Travis's murder in May, the case had witnessed denials but climaxed to an admission of murder in self defense against abuse. She said the trauma inflicted on Travis portrays the abuse she had suffered and that it did not reflect her real nature. She listed her future activities to help humanity if given a chance for life behind the walls.
The law says where the jurors cannot arrive at a decision, another panel of jurors will be set up to deliberate on the matter. And where a reconstituted juror cannot arrive at a decision, the ball will then be in the judge's court to sentence the defendant to prison for life.
The judge had told the first panel that it was their responsibilty to determine Arias fate and their decision would not be a recomendation.
Arias had said in a newspaper interview that she would prefer to die and put the burden behind her. But in a courtroom testimony later, she said she will prefer prison for life to save her family from the pain that will accompany her death.
Before the defendant was found guilty for Travis's murder in May, the case had witnessed denials but climaxed to an admission of murder in self defense against abuse. She said the trauma inflicted on Travis portrays the abuse she had suffered and that it did not reflect her real nature. She listed her future activities to help humanity if given a chance for life behind the walls.