PHOENIX, AZ—A jury found Jodi Arias, 32, guilty on one count of first-degree murder for the death of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander on Wednesday, May 8 at the Maricopa County Courthouse in Phoenix, AZ. Alexander was brutally murdered at his Meza, AZ home nearly five years ago at the age of 30.
The trial, which began on January 2, caught the attention of people all around the world, as Arias changed her story several times before admitting to killing Alexander in self-defense. Arias took the stand to explain her relationship to Alexander and the series of events that led to his death.
The jurors, consisting of eight men and four women, deliberated for 15 hours and 5 minutes before coming back with a guilty verdict that could possibly lead to the execution of Arias.
Alexander was shot once, stabbed 27 times and had his throat slit. The defense argued that Arias’ actions were justified as she had suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the victim.
The prosecution, lead by Juan Martinez, made the case that Arias’ actions were premeditated as she showed up unannounced to the victims home driving a rental car with her hair dyed.
Governor Jan Brewer made a statement indicating that she supported the prosecution’s efforts to convict Arias, however, she was unclear on whether she believed that Arias deserved the death penalty.
Arias’ fate will be determined in a miniature trail on Thursday, as jurors will decide whether she should be executed or given 25 years to life with a possibility of parole.
By Helya Askari
