11-13-2014, 01:42 PM
Arizona prosecutors on Wednesday denied claims by lawyers for convicted murderer Jodi Arias, who accused the state of deleting thousands of pornographic files from the victim's computer.
Asking Judge Sherry Stephens to toss out the charges, or at least dismiss the death penalty option, defense lawyers argued in a motion on Monday that the state committed prosecutorial misconduct by deleting the files from Alexander's computer.
Prosecutors said on Wednesday the files did not exist. They said Arias' previous attorneys should be blamed if any files were found to be missing, and they added that the computer in question was infected by a virus.
"The facts are opposite of their position," prosecutor Juan Martinez told a judge in Maricopa County Superior Court, responding to the defense's accusations.
Defense lawyer Kirk Nurmi said the files would have helped bolster their case, and that the investigation continues.
"There is a plethora of evidence being uncovered," Nurmi told the court. Stephens did not immediately rule on the motion, and a hearing is expected to be held at a later date.
Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/1...R820141113
Meanwhile, the penalty phase retrial has resumed.
Asking Judge Sherry Stephens to toss out the charges, or at least dismiss the death penalty option, defense lawyers argued in a motion on Monday that the state committed prosecutorial misconduct by deleting the files from Alexander's computer.
Prosecutors said on Wednesday the files did not exist. They said Arias' previous attorneys should be blamed if any files were found to be missing, and they added that the computer in question was infected by a virus.
"The facts are opposite of their position," prosecutor Juan Martinez told a judge in Maricopa County Superior Court, responding to the defense's accusations.
Defense lawyer Kirk Nurmi said the files would have helped bolster their case, and that the investigation continues.
"There is a plethora of evidence being uncovered," Nurmi told the court. Stephens did not immediately rule on the motion, and a hearing is expected to be held at a later date.
Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/1...R820141113
Meanwhile, the penalty phase retrial has resumed.