Jodi Arias Killed With "Cruel Intentions"
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Jodi Arias (AP)
READ MORE: Jodi Arias Found Guilty Of First-Degree Murder
Arias was already convicted for her crime of murdering her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, the week prior, in a case that has been continuing since January. While her actions have been established, the punishment is still up in the air until the jury decides what justice to serve.
Arias has been claiming self-defense for her actions, but the prosecutor denied her reasoning and revaluated her intent to kill: “She made sure of it. She made sure she killed him by stabbing him over and over and over again and then finishing him off by slicing his throat," Prosecutor Juan Martinez spoke in a Phoenix courtroom. “It is also sure that during this attack Mr. Alexander suffered. Mr. Alexander suffered pain every time the knife went into his body, every time the knife blade struck the back of his head, and when the blade went down to his throat, it was certainly also extremely painful."
From CBS News:
The "aggravation phase" of the trial is now underway, and the jury must decide whether Alexander suffered physical or mental pain or anguish prior to his death, and whether Arias should have known he would suffer. If they do find the crime was "especially cruel," the trial will move into a final penalty phase - during which the panel will weigh whether she should receive the death penalty.
Arias, 32, cried and occasionally shook her head as Martinez detailed the 2008 attack in Alexander's suburban Phoenix home, describing the physical pain and fear that he said Alexander felt just before he died. Alexander's family sobbed in the front row as Martinez described how blood gushed from Alexander's chest, hands and throat as he stood at the sink in his master bathroom and looked into the mirror with Arias behind him.
The verdict has been laid down that Jodi Arias committed first degree murder with cruel intentions. The jury will continue to discuss and consider her sentence, of which she may face the death penalty.
Reach Executive Producer Eric Parra here.
