by EMILY SZPAK staff writer
Jodi Arias was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Travis Alexander in court after almost five years. The trial was finished on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.
Arias claimed the incident was an act of self-defense, but logistically it did not all add up. Alexander was found in his shower with nearly 30 stab wounds in the chest and back. Also, his throat had been slit to near decapitation, and he had been shot in the face. His hands were covered in defensive wounds.
Arias and Alexander had a relationship prior to the murder. However, Alexander had told friends and family that Arias was stalking him, hacking his social networks, and slashing his tires
In the days leading up to his death, Arias purchased a gas tank and gallons of gas from a gas station. She then proceeded to drive to Alexander’s home in Arizona.
There was a camera found hidden in the washing machine in Alexander’s home. Police recovered the images, showing sexually suggestive images of both Arias and Alexander. Then, there were photos of Alexander bleeding on the floor.
Arias claimed the last time she had seen Alexander was April 2008, despite the DNA and photographic evidence police had found. Her second account was that two intruders had broken into the home and killed Alexander.
She later said she was the victim of domestic violence. She had allegedly dropped Alexander’s camera and he came at her in rage. She claims her counter attack was merely an act of self-defense.
Arias’s excuse for the cuts on her own hands was that they were injuries from her job at Margaritaville, which had never existed in the area she claimed to be working.
“Her story can’t be kept straight and she still argues innocence? There are some crazy people in this world!” says sophomore Nicole Cohen
The trial began January 2, 2013. Arias’s lawyers argued that the murder was a justifiable homicide committed in self-defense. Both sides diagnosed Arias with some kind of mental issue. Prosecution stated it is even a borderline personality disorder.
Finally on May 8, 2013, Arias was found guilty. Out of 12 jurors, five found her guilty of first-degree premeditated murder. The other seven found her guilty of both first-degree premeditated murder and felony murder. She is now eligible for the death penalty.
The aggravation phase of the trial begins May 15, 2013. Here is where the jury decides any aggravated factors of the trial. If they do not find any, she is subject to life, with or without the possibility of parole after 25 years.
If factors are found, they decide whether or not she deserves the death penalty. The jury must unanimously decide this. If not, she is subject to the first two choices.
If given the death penalty, she will be the fourth woman on the waiting list.
“That seems like an unhealthy amount of anger in a person that clearly can’t sustain it,” says sophomore Michelle Barlcay
Personally, she deserves the death penalty. Clearly she has psychological issues that make her unsafe for society. It is crazy how she claims self-defense and justifiable murder. She stabbed the guy 27 times and slit his throat. Did she find it necessary to slit his throat after she had stabbed him? Was he not dead enough? Clearly he was not, because she then proceeded to shoot him in face.
If the jury does not unanimously decide that there was aggravation involved, I have lost faith in humanity. Arias is a certified psychopath and her rage should come with consequence. She deserves everything the court could possible throw at her.
What do you think Jodi Arias deserves?