Jodi Arias Trial - Aggravation Phase Delayed Until 5/18/13!

The aggravation phase of the Jodi Arias trial was set to begin today at 1:00PM - the families were there, the jurors were waiting, the attorneys were there and from what I understand they were ready to roll when it was announced that they were unable to proceed! No reason was given for the cancellation, but May 18th is the date cited for the aggravation phase to begin.

Hmmm.  Could this have anything to do with the interview Jodi Arias gave yesterday following the guilty verdict, where she told a local reporter with KSAZ that she'd prefer death to spending life in prison? The 45 minute interview stunned everybody. "I believe death is the ultimate freedom", Arias told the reporter. This interview had to have been planned in advance. It's not easy to gain access to a murder defendant and it's virtually unheard of for somebody to give an interview just minutes after being convicted of first degree murder.  Is this the final card Jodi Arias has left to play? It has been reported that due to what Arias said during her interview, she was put on the "protocol suicide watch". I also heard a report about a possible bomb threat at the Superior Courthouse this morning - the building is routinely checked for such threats, particularly during a high profile case such as this one. Seems strange that Dr. Janeen DeMarte's house was broken into and her laptop stolen before the trial began, and a bomb threat the day after a guilty verdict? Maybe Arias has more fans than we thought she did. 

My question to Jodi Arias would be this: you have publicly stated more than a dozen times that you wanted to kill yourself, you wanted to be dead and gone. "If I hurt Travis, I'd beg for the death penalty" were your exact words. You were found guilty of first degree murder, yet as your death wish becomes more plausible, you are now unable to assist in your own defense? What gives  Jodi? I hope my words don't sound overly callous, despite my personal feelings about what justice should look like in this case - I don't wish death upon anybody.  She is a human being, just like the rest of us. She's made some monumental mistakes in life, mistakes that took a loved and valued member of society from this world. At trial, she has shown little if any remorse. She has fabricated rancid tales about the man that she claimed to love and admire. 

It appears that Arias was so shocked at the verdict that she didn't know how to react. Appearing somewhat defiant following the verdict, Arias looked back at her family in the gallery - something she didn't do often during her trial. The family she has thrown under the bus, a la Casey Anthony - "my mom kept a wooden spoon in her purse and hit me with it", "my sister is stupid". In an interview between Det. Flores and Jodi Arias' father Bill, it was revealed that Arias lashed out at her mother frequently and furiously. You can tell a lot about a person's character by the way they treat their family. Lack of respect is a big red flag. Taking for granted the love of your parents is a red flag. There were all kinds of red flags going up around Jodi Arias as she grew into adulthood. Tragically, Travis Alexander didn't see those red flags in time to escape the danger that lurked just beneath the surface of ex girlfriend Jodi Arias.

I don't know why the delay has me stumped and surprised. This trial has been full of these sort of oddities. The problem is, Arias has manipulated the system and cried wolf so many times that we are becoming numb to the suicide threats. Today was supposed to be an abbreviated court session, described as a "mini-trial", where evidence is presented by the prosecutor relating to the manner in which Travis Alexander was killed - Martinez will argue that he was murdered in an especially cruel and depraved manner.

That's stating the obvious and it would be outrageous to describe it in any other fashion. The jury needs to unanimous on their decision. If they are unable to reach an unanimous decision, a new jury would be empaneled to decide on the aggravation phase.

If the jury finds the murder was cruel and depraved, they would then move on to the sentencing phase. The jury would be charged with deciding if Arias receives a death sentence. If the jury decides in favor of the death penalty, the judge is bound by their decision. If the jury decides against the death penalty - sentencing would then be in the hands of Judge Stephens who would have two options:

1. Life in prison without the possibility of parole
2. Life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years

The best Arias can hope for is the potential for parole after serving 25 years behind bars. It's difficult to believe this came as a such a surprise to her. During yesterday's interview, she said she was overwhelmed that the jury found premeditation - yet she said she understood the felony murder decision but blamed that on how the law is written. After the countless number of delays in getting this case to trial and Arias' migraines that accounted for several cancelled court sessions this has to be the final insult to the murder victim who is finally receiving justice after nearly 5 years.

Were Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Willmott aware of the scheduled interview yesterday? Why are they having such a difficult time keeping their client quiet during these crucial junctures in this trial? Or is this just another ploy for  sympathy, or is Arias falling back on a potential mental health defense now since the self-defense and heat of the moment arguments failed? The timing of it all is curious, and that's a generous statement. Some may say its just more manipulation from a desperate woman who is running out of options. If all else fails, play the crazy card. It's only a matter of time before Arias starts pointing the finger at her attorneys and plays the blame game.

She already began her Twitter campaign against the prosecutor and the State of Arizona, who turned down her offer to plead guilty to second degree murder. Juan was right, it's never Jodi's fault. Once again we are waiting on Jodi Arias. The trial WILL go on, delays or no delays. Justice is patient and it's willing to wait. The public may not be as forgiving. Delay, deflect and deny. Anybody seeing a clear pattern with the defense?  Jodi Arias was competent yesterday while she sat down and spoke to a reporter for 45 minutes. What happened? What do you think?

What's going on behind the scenes out there in Phoenix? If you have the inside scoop, please feel free to post a comment and share it with the rest of us. I will post more information if it becomes available! By the way, a few people asked about sources for alerts when the verdict was in - I posted one, and I checked it out myself as well and it does work. It isn't specifically for the verdict, it was for any breaking news relating to the Jodi Arias trial. I used a similar service during the Casey Anthony trial and it was effective. I'm re posting the information here, in case anybody would like to receive text alerts via your cellphone if there is breaking Jodi Arias news. 

Text the word BREAKING to 23765. The news source has been great. I received a text message right after I saw the announcement on television. The text message  you receive will tell you how to cancel or stop receiving breaking news alerts. OK, that's all I have time for now. UUUGGRRR! Frustration and disappointment are good descriptors of how I feel about the delay. Have a great day!