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New Reports Emerge About Cancun Trip - Was Arias Supposed To Go?

New reports are emerging about the June 10, 2008 Cancun trip that Travis Alexander was going on - the trip that may have been the catalyst for murder. It was reported last night on Jane Valez-Mitchell's show on HLN that "sources" have revealed that Jodi Arias was supposed to accompany Travis Alexander on the company sponsored trip to Cancun, but Alexander changed his mind and invited Marie "Mimi" Hall instead. Arias has maintained throughout the trial that she was not aware that Travis was taking Mimi Hall - instead, she testified that Travis told her he was taking a friend's babysitter.

Here is the link to Jane Valez-Mitchell's HLN report on this from yesterday's show:

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/03/22/was-jodi-booked-cancun-trip-travis

The babysitter story never made sense - she claimed that Travis owed this friend money, and was taking the babysitter to Cancun as a form of repayment for a debt. She couldn't come up with a better story than that after 4 1/2 years?  Travis Alexander was savagely and viciously murdered in the evening hours of June 4, 2008, only days before he was due to board a plane for sunny Cancun. The timing of the murder is no coincidence. Why kill Travis on June 4th? Why not kill him on one of the many other opportunities Arias must have had during her time in Mesa? 

It's hard to say why, if this is in fact true that it hasn't come up during the trial. Perhaps Juan Martinez wanted to have Arias commit to her babysitter story, and present this information during his rebuttal case? The rebuttal case will be interesting, and I have to believe Martinez has saved some of his best arguments for the rebuttal case. Lock Jodi Arias into her stories, and then methodically knock them down one-by-one, like he did when he told her that Wal Mart showed no record of anybody returning a gas can in Pasadena on the date she claimed she did. If he does this during the rebuttal, I don't believe the Arias defense team will have the opportunity to "rehabilitate" Arias's story. The prosecution will have the last word.

If these airline records do exist, I have to believe Juan Martinez has them. Since Arias testified under oath that it was never discussed that she would accompany Travis to Cancun and she was fine with that, he can present evidence to disprove her statements. This would go a long way towards the premeditation of this murder. His closing statement should be powerful. If he sticks to the facts, the evidence and doesn't get too bogged down with the memory issues or her amnesia, or any of the sexual elements of this case, it's fairly simple to see what happened and why. It's one of the oldest motives in known to mankind - jealousy.

Arias was losing control. She was no longer living in close proximity to Travis, she could no longer drive by his home to see who was there, she could no longer follow him on dates - and his friends could speak more freely about their disapproval of Jodi as a partner and wife for Travis. He had sent her that scathing e-mail or text message after discovering she had been breaking into his social media pages, he more than likely changed his passwords and she was slowly being shut out of his life. I guess there was one thing he still couldn't say no to, and he ended up letting a killer into his home - unaware of the horror that was about to be unleashed.

Up next week:  the defense expert on domestic violence, Alyce Laviolette from Long Beach, California.  Again, the expert will offer testimony based on her interviews with Jodi Arias. Arias never filed any complaints of domestic violence against Travis, never dialed 911, never wrote about it in her journal, never talked about it with friends or family. It's her words alone that this report will be based on - which makes it flawed from the start. 

I'm wondering, did Jodi Arias actually have many female friends? Most of the women that we've heard from or about during this trial have been either friends of Travis Alexander's, or women Arias met through Pre Paid Legal, and a few she met through the LDS church functions. What seems to be missing are genuine, "I've known her since 2nd grade" type relationships that most people have.  Arias seems to be more friendly with the males in her life, although ex boyfriends and men that she dated don't seem to have really known her either.  She seems to be a follower, with her identity changing depending on her audience or her love interest at that time. She seemed to be lost and looking to become part of someone else's life, instead of forging a life for herself - maybe she lacked the social skills in that sense. Many people have stated their first impression of Jodi Arias was not good - something was off about her. Just goes to show, you should always trust that little voice inside your head or that gut feeling you have about a person. It's usually right, and we get those feelings for a reason!

Enjoy your weekend!

38 comments:

  1. Hi My Forte, I watched the Dateline series about Arias on YouTube. There is one friend interviewed. I guess a high school friend? I was actually surprised. It does seem that she doesn't have any women friends. I don't know how long they were friends or how close they were. It is interesting that her best girlfriend in prison.....or at least the one they interviewed.....is very, very masculine. And her name is Dominic, I think that's what I heard.

    I hope you are right and Martinez is planning on bringing out the Cancun trip on rebuttal. Like you and others have said, I believe this was it. This pushed her over the edge to murder. She was completely obsessed. I don't believe she has any idea what love is.

    Thanks for another fantastic blog entry.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue,
      I think the person you may be referring to is named Donovan Bering - this is one of Arias' earliest supporters to speak out on her behalf. I thought by the way Donovan talked about Jodi that she had known her for a long time. Turns out that she met her while in jail! So she isn't really a childhood friend, although she was portrayed as her good friend! Interesting Ann Campbell, the woman who Jodi Arias tried to give the coded magazines to during a jail visitation is a friend of Donovan Bering! It's all coming full circle isn't it? Thanks for writing!

      Delete
  2. P.S. I did not mean any judgement on masculine women, by the way. Just interesting that Jodi does seem more comfortable with more masculine people and men.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown,
      No worries on your comment about masculine women - you didn't come across as derogatory at all. I don't think Arias relates well to females because she sees them as competition, and she doesn't have the ability to flirt with them or use her feminine charms on them! Let's face it, there are some masculine females in the prison system, that's no secret. Doesn't surprise me at all that she relates better to those females who may have an interest in her.

      Delete
  3. She also bought 2 tubes of sun-block in Salinas at
    Walmart when she purchased the 3rd. gas can. I think
    she was packed and ready to go to Cancun, but if she
    couldn't change his mind, it was over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (3/23/13 at 11:19AM),
      Good catch on the sunblock! I seem to recall hearing she seemed to have more luggage than would be needed for her trip to Utah! She may have believed she could get him to change his mind and take her. She doesn't seem to handle rejection very well. It would be interesting to see what her balance was in her bank accounts when this happened. She was worried about the check she sent Travis being deposited...she probably didn't have the money to pay him for the car payments.

      Delete
  4. "She seems to be a follower, with her identity changing depending on her audience or her love interest at that time. She seemed to be lost and looking to become part of someone else's life, instead of forging a life for herself"

    Jodi Arias is Leonard Zelig!

    Zelig is a 1983 American mockumentary written and directed by Woody Allen, and starring Allen and Mia Farrow. Allen plays Leonard Zelig, a nondescript enigma who, out of his desire to fit in and be liked, takes on the characteristics of strong personalities around him.

    Jodi Arias is a human chameleon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (3/23/13 at 11:31AM),
      Interesting comparison! I haven't heard of Zelig, but will certainly look it up now that you mentioned it! Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  5. Also - you mention jealousy. It is the only rational explanation of this sordid killing. I listened today to the phone message she left for Travis 5 hours after killing him. She invited him to join her and a friend to see Ă–thello(!!!!) while she was rambling on to create her cover. She just happens to mention the premiere work on jealousy in the western canon; the play that introduced the "green-eyed monster." Her unconscious at work?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (3/23/13 at 11:58AM),
      That phone message is chilling. Knowing what we now know that she had done to him just hour earlier - she was thinking clearly enough to realize she should leave him a message, believing that would help show she didn't know he was dead! How could you make plans with somebody you just killed? And not by a single gunshot, it was up close and personal as it gets. I agree her rambling message and choice of words is interesting to say the least! Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  6. Since the Jodi Arias trial is getting so much attention we thought it would be a good idea to cover the 4 types of homicide charges in Arizona:

    http://dmcantor.com/blog/2013/02/05/4-types-of-homicide-charges-in-arizona

    On the Youtubes:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jbZqca5-isE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (3/23/13 at 6:47PM),
      Thank you for the link - the state of Arizona definitely has an interesting process for homicide/death penalty trials. The jury plays a huge role in not only the guilt phase of the trial but sentencing as well. That, with being one of three states that allow jury questions make this a very interesting trial! Thank you for your comment and links!

      Delete
  7. Whoa! Check this out (My Forte I looked through your earlier pages...but did not see this....sorry if it is up here already). Anonymous mentioned Chathouse News, so I went over there and found this comparison: Jodi's pictures of Travis in the shower compared to stills from the movie "Psycho". She was not basing these pictures on a Calvin Klein ad. I am so creeped out.

    http://www.chathousenews.com/2013/02/the-shower-scene-jodi-arias-chat-house.html

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue,
      I looked on chathousenews for the photo comparison, and I couldn't find them. I'm going to look again, thanks for posting!

      Delete
  8. This is creepy to, one of Jodi's Favorite movies.
    House of the Flying Daggers, victim gets stabbed by
    jilted lover (killer) in the heart. Victim falls killer screams.
    Victim chosen lover getting turned on after dressing female in boy's clothes. The killer throws knives causing
    a stab in the throat & causing another person's throat to
    be slit. The victims also lunges at her like a linebacker. Killer also does a backward yoga stretch, like Jodi does.
    When killer is arrested she keeps her cool & keeps her cover them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (3/24/13 at 12:04PM),
      That is very creepy! What a dark movie to have as one of her favorites. That's a little too close for comfort, the linebacker lunge, the knife, the female dressed in boys clothing! CREEPY!

      Delete
  9. Wow, anonymous. That woman is so sick. So sick. I also saw this that someone posted on the Chat house site:

    Jodi said on the stand that Travis wanted to name a daughter Iris and that he also liked the names Hinckley and Reagan.
    The movie Taxi Driver: JODIE Foster plays young hooker IRIS. DeNiro plays the taxi driver TRAVIS and John HINCKLEY shot Pres. REAGAN because he was hung up on Jodie Foster in the movie.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I hope that Juan Martinez calls ex-boyfriend Matt McCartney to the stand during his rebuttal case. During cross of Jodi, Martinez alluded to McCartney's testimony in Jan 2013, I believe it was. I think he is ready to turn on Jodi and tell what he knows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Tutormaven,
      I hope so too - I have a strong feeling that Martinez is saving some of his best stuff for rebuttal. He's letting her lock herself into these stories knowing that the prosecution gets the last word. Arias may think Matt McCartney would never betray her, but does she think he is willing to go to jail for perjury for her? Does she have that high of an opinion of herself? I think McCartney knows a lot more than anybody else about Jodi Arias. I hope he testifies for the State!

      Delete
    2. I'm still hoping for McCartney, but none of the HLN anchors have mentioned him regarding the rebuttal case!
      Also, where is the PPL officer to testify about the name change for the Cancun trip??

      Delete
    3. Tutormaven,
      Oh I'm right there with you on these two issues. I wanted so badly to have Matt McCartney testify about what he knows. I think everybody believes he knows more of the truth than any other living person about what happened that night. I was also hoping for some testimony about changes to the Cancun itiniery as well. Martinez needs to close with a strong focus on premeditation! He's proven Arias is a liar. But he nows needs to focus on premeditation and planning. I'd hate to see her get anything less than 1st degree murder. If the jury believes Arias lied about the abuse and made up those stories about this man who cannot speak for himself any longer - I pray they will hand down the most severe punishment possible. She has killed Travis twice.

      Delete
    4. My Forte--

      What a let down! I couldn't believe it when he said, "The state rests."

      Maybe he was not allowed to bring in the PPL person regarding the Cancun trip (You know, after a defense motion to keep it out, etc.) But Matt McCartney? I just don't get it. He certainly hinted that Matt would be turning on her when he was doing cross exam, at least I thought he was.

      We will wait and see. I rearranged my Wed-Fri appointments next week so I can watch it all as it happens!!

      I think this jury knows the score-- their questions have been quite telling.

      Hope to talk again as things unfold!!

      Delete
    5. Tutormaven,
      Funny, I find myself arranging my schedule around this trial too! Especially now that we are nearing the end. I'm a little disappointed that Juan Martinez didn't have an ace up his sleeve as I expected. But the medical examiner's testimony as well as the photos of a clearly brunette Arias along with the WalMart rep went a long way towards showing her dishonesty and lies. Why lie about something as mundane as returning a gas can if it wasn't part of the bigger plan? Does she really think the jury is buying her story which seems (medically) impossible?

      Delete
    6. My Forte--

      I'll bet he had a few aces up his sleeve which he was not allowed to use, like the ones we've mentioned. Also, the jury doesn't know she had a gun, ammo and knives in her "getaway car" when she got arrested. I think too much has been excluded. The jury should know it all!

      Talk soon. Hard trial withdrawal I'm suffering through, till Wednesday!

      Delete
  11. I hope you are right, Tutormaven!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I read over at chrisstark@stark3923, that Defendant's Motion For Protection Order has been filed, in the
    Jodi Arais trial, docket date" 3/22/2013, I tried to link,
    but couldn't. Their is something that they don't want out.
    Maybe they want to seal Defense expenses due to the
    250.00 pr. hour that $amuels was making as a witness
    and it will be sealed until after the trial.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (3/24/13 at 9:31PM),
      I wonder what that document is/says? It's already been reported that the Arias trial may end up costing the taxpayers more than $1,000,000 so I don't think the costs are a secret. Isn't a protection order like a restraining order? Where did you see this info, I'd love to check it out...thanks for commenting!

      Delete
    2. Me, too......very curious!

      Thanks again for this blog. It really is nice to have people to talk to about this trial. Maybe I should say like-minded people that want to dig deeper (not the jodiisinnocent crowd). ; )

      Sue

      Delete
    3. Anonymous (4/24 @ 9:31AM),
      The defense also filed a motion to keep out evidence relating to the weight of the shelving units, and possibly any/all measurements of those units. They must've lost that motion because we heard about the shelves yesterday, but not about weight. They have asked for a whole lot during the course of this trial! Seems unfair that EVIDENCE can be ruled too prejudicial against Arias, and kept out. Yet Arias words about Travis being a batterer and pedophile are allowed in? Arias words alone are not evidence. She has had every advantage in this trial, yet I have a feeling it will never be enough. Her credibility is shot. You never want to insult the intelligence of your jury! And lying under oath is a serious matter - what would you do if you felt the defendant was trying to take you for a fool? Judgement day is within sight. Thanks for your post!

      Delete
    4. Sue,
      I've heard that about the main pro-Jodi site. They apparently do not allow any posts that would contradict Arias as an innocent victim who only killed because "she had to". To me, that's not a forum - it's a public relations website for Ms. Arias!

      Delete
  13. at chrisstark@stark3923
    She had a copy of the paper, I read it. If you go there
    go to the search & type in Motion For Protection Order.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A motion for protective order refers to a party's request that the court protect it from potentially abusive action by the other party. Such a request is often made in relation to discovery, as when one party seeks discovery of the other party's trade secrets. In certain instances, the court will craft a protective order for protecting one party's trade secrets by ordering that any secret information exchanged in discovery shall be used for the pending suit only and it shall not in any manner be publicized.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Name change on Cancun trip.. to prejudicial for
    defendant. A motive for murder. Doesn't want jury
    to hear it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (4/25 @ 12:07PM),
      I don't get that. It's evidence. Wasn't the testimony about Travis being a pervert and domestic batterer prejudicial against him? This sickens me. The jury deserves to hear the evidence! Let them decide if she killed him out of jealousy or self defense. Why even have a trial if the jury get's half of the facts? Frustrating, right?

      Delete
  16. You are describing someone with narcissistic personality disorder. They have no real sense of self. They are an empty shell. They reflect. They are experts at deciding what type of person a love interest wants the narcissist to be and they become that person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tana,
      What a perfect description of Ms. Arias. An empty shell. Why else would she jump into the Mormon faith after knowing Travis for such a short time? Definitely a follower looking to latch on to someone else's life because her own is failing. Thanks for the great comment!

      Delete
  17. About the gas cans, in Detective Flores written investigation report, Jodi Arias claimed she ran out of gas....
    But that was before discovery she had those full gas cans in her car.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous (3/26 at 10:52PM),
      Really? That's a little factoid I was not aware of. Another little white lie....she's been caught in her own tangled web. Thanks for the info!

      Delete

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