The Jodi Arias Trial--Fatal Attraction – The Murder of Travis Alexander

[Duchess]

Agreed...to a point. Lets just say she's completely innocent..but has no means for a proper defense. She (or anyone else) deserves a quality defense, just like the prick OJ Simpson. It's a bit of a catch-22

I understand there has to be some kind of recourse for those that can't afford it and when innocent people are helped I'm all for it, I suppose it bugs me in this case because I feel she's guilty as sin and as undeserving as they come. I know I can't have it both ways.

[username]

If you have $1M in assets, you must liquidate in order to pay for your defense.

If your legal expenses are greater that your contribution, you are finacially responsible for the balance.

Not Jodi.

Taxpayer picks up the entire tab.

Thanks one percenters!

So that's when crime doesn't pay!

[HairOfTheDog]

Arias defense has cost more than $1.4 million

To date, the county has paid $1,402,688.84 to cover 15,582.43 hours of work on the case.

Story Here

Wow, the previous estimate was grossly underestimated.

Looks like it's probably gonna cost Arizona tax payers closer to $2 million than $1 million on Arias's defense by the time the verdict is delivered. I don't think that includes the cost of her 5 years of lodging, medical care, etc...

I'd actually like to see the cost itemization. I know it's not gonna be released, but am curious (nosy?) as to how much has been paid to Samuels, LaViolette, and the mitigation specialist.

Not sure there's a better way, but the amount of taxpayer money spent on the likes of Jodi Arias is seriously frustrating.

[BlueTiki]

I understand there has to be some kind of recourse for those that can't afford it and when innocent people are helped I'm all for it, I suppose it bugs me in this case because I feel she's guilty as sin and as undeserving as they come. I know I can't have it both ways.

Actually, mandatory Pro Bono legal services as a condition to hold a law license in Arizona might be a start.

From novice to top-tier . . . every attorney is in the pool.

And by Pro Bono I mean "at no cost to the taxpayer."

[username]

The defense is asking for a mistrial...juror misconduct.

Talk about costly. Whoa.

[BlueTiki]

Juror 5.

[username]

Juror 5.

What did he/she supposedly do? Fucking HLN is too busy talking to a dominatrix to report on it.

[BlueTiki]

Allegedly made comments to other jurors giving them the impression of a biased opinion before all evidence being presented.

This is from our local news station ABC 15.

I'll be in downtown Phoenix, tomorrow, and will try and snap some pics of the area, the circus and where Martinez supposedly was doing his celeb thing.

[HairOfTheDog]

Just looked it up.

Supposedly Juror 5 said something of concern in front of other jurors.

I don't think they'll get a mistrial. But, I wonder what the real deal is.

Snip:
Arias' attorneys want Juror 5 kicked off the jury if the judge doesn’t grant a mistrial.

Removing Juror 5 may be a remedy, because there are 18 jurors right now. Twelve jurors will be chosen before deliberations, and the rest will be alternates that could be called in deliberate if necessary.

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/04/01/...misconduct

ETA: Sorry Tiki, posting at the same time.

[username]

Allegedly made comments to other jurors giving them the impression of a biased opinion before all evidence being presented.

This is from our local news station ABC 15.

I'll be in downtown Phoenix, tomorrow, and will try and snap some pics of the area, the circus and where Martinez supposedly was doing his celeb thing.

Do it!!!

HotD, I'm guessing that typically the judge wouldn't declare a mistrial just knowing they can always bring it up on appeal? Even if it was misconduct?

I don't know anything about mistrials in cases like this but I don't see the benefit for anyone except the defendant for a judge to say okey-dokey, here's your mistrial.

[BlueTiki]

Do it!!!

There's a cool little indoor/outdoor public area where the attorneys, court employees, process servers, media and jurors gather/eat, called "A Change of Venue".

This is where the alleged misconduct was witnessed by a juror, prompting last weeks hearing.

Tomorrow should be a circus.

[HairOfTheDog]

HotD, I'm guessing that typically the judge wouldn't declare a mistrial just knowing they can always bring it up on appeal? Even if it was misconduct?

I don't know anything about mistrials in cases like this but I don't see the benefit for anyone except the defendant for a judge to say okey-dokey, here's your mistrial.

The defendant is the only one who would benefit, that's true.

This is just my opinion/understanding from past cases:

If a juror really did/said something inappropriate and against juror instructions. I'd think all of the jurors would have to be questioned about it. The offending juror and any other juror(s) who indicated that he/she was influenced by the infraction would probably be replaced before a mistrial would be called, so long as there were alternates available (as there are in this case).

This could be just more defense tactics as the trial nears its end. As you stated, back-pocket appeals grounds if the verdict doesn't go the defendant's way (DP cases have an automatic appeals process).

[HairOfTheDog]

Do it!!!

There's a cool little indoor/outdoor public area where the attorneys, court employees, process servers, media and jurors gather/eat, called "A Change of Venue".

This is where the alleged misconduct was witnessed by a juror, prompting last weeks hearing.

Tomorrow should be a circus.

Tiki, do you know if it's the same issue that stemmed for Jean Casarez stating that if a juror saw Martinez being treated like a rock star that it could be problematic?

More possible delays...

[BlueTiki]

Tiki, do you know if it's the same issue that stemmed for Jean Casarez stating that if a juror saw Martinez being treated like a rock star that it could be problematic?

More possible delays...

Just turned on the 5 o'clock news for an update.

As of yet, the local yocals (sic) haven't tied the two together.

The emphasis is on juror misconduct: "(comments made) Inserted partiality into an impartial body . . . "

As of this post, Martinez has not been mentioned.

[HairOfTheDog]

^ Thank you, Tiki...

I really hope that this gets resolved before testimony is scheduled to resume tomorrow.

I'm itching for LaViolette to be cross-examined and move on to the closing arguments.

[BlueTiki]

I'd actually like to see the cost itemization. I know it's not gonna be released, but am curious (nosy?) as to how much has been paid to Samuels, LaViolette, and the mitigation specialist.

It looks like once the jury reaches a verdict, detailed costs should be released.

That's the word on the street.

[BlueTiki]

Tweets from inside the courtroom:

KPHONoonShowGuy Both #JodiArias and the family of Travis Alexander have been called into the judge's chambers. No word on why just yet. 5 minutes ago


reporterjmiguel Getting lots of tweets. Yes, both the Alexander family and #JodiArias are in chambers. Not sure why just yet. 8 minutes ago

[HairOfTheDog]

Tweets from inside the courtroom:

KPHONoonShowGuy Both #JodiArias and the family of Travis Alexander have been called into the judge's chambers. No word on why just yet. 5 minutes ago

reporterjmiguel Getting lots of tweets. Yes, both the Alexander family and #JodiArias are in chambers. Not sure why just yet. 8 minutes ago

Damn, this is making me a little nervous.

ETA: Thinking about how difficult it must be for the Alexander family members to be in such close proximity to Arias without losing their cool. Not sure I could do it.

[username]

I only listened for a minute but I heard that Travis's relatives and Jody and the attorneys are meeting? Uh-oh. I hope that doesn't mean mistrial.

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm not really worried about a mistrial, but nervous about more delays depending on what they're discussing and how long it will take to decide/resolve it.