An Arizona Court of Appeals ruling overruled a judge's decision to block the media and public from hearing the testimony of a "mystery" witness as requested by the defense team last month in the Jodi Arias sentencing trial.

On Oct. 30, Judge Sherry Stephens kicked the media and public out of the Maricopa County Superior Court without explanation just before a "mystery" witness took the stand. In response, a media coalition filed an appeal in order to re-open the public courtroom, according to AZ Central.

The attorney representing the media argued that conducting a trial behind closed doors and shrouded in secrecy would set a new precedent in the U.S. legal system.

"We have just heard the risk of being kept in perpetual confusion, and darkness looms in this case unless the court steps in and enforces the first amendment rights of the press and public," said attorney David Bodney, according to Fox 10 Arizona.

He added that exclusion of the press and public violated the U.S. and Arizona Constitutions, along with the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure. Not only does the state and the defendant have a right to a public trial, but "it's the public's right to a fair trial," too, Bodney said.

On the other hand, Arias' attorney countered that the witness didn't feel comfortable testifying in public and feared for their reputation and life.

After initially issuing a stay in the case, the appeals court handed down a decision in favor of the media on Wednesday.  It was also revealed that the "mystery" witness was Jodi Arias, herself, reports AZ Central. As a result, the convicted boyfriend killer must testify in public if she plans on taking the stand again.

Attorney Bodney said he will request that the transcripts of Arias' testimony also be released without delay.

"I think this order sends a strong message about the importance of allowing the public to attend this trial when the defendant testifies," he said.

State prosecutors maintained that they had "no objection to the media in the courtroom and opposed closing the hearing and proceedings to media and the public."