Things heated up in the courtroom on Day 16 of the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial. The prosecution had another fiery exchange with the defense's star witness, and a third juror was dismissed.

On Tuesday, Dr. L.C. Miccio-Fonseca, a clinical psychologist who specializes in twisted sexual behavior, returned to the witness stand to be further cross-examined by prosecutor Juan Martinez and field questions from the jury.

For the past two weeks, the relationship expert has testified on behalf of the defense about Arias' late boyfriend Travis Alexander's inner conflict between his religious conviction and sexual desires. She has stated that Alexander had a mastery of deception and a "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" personality. The psychologist also previously testified that Alexander "closeted" Arias and used her solely for sexual gratification, while Arias suffered in silence, reports USA Today.

On the other hand, the prosecution maintains that Arias was scorned and Alexander's murder was premeditated.

Picking up where he left off Monday, Martinez continued to attack Miccio-Fonseca's credibility and memory. At one point during her contentious cross-examination, Miccio-Fonseca turned directly to the jury and accused Martinez of mischaracterizing her statements. She also said that misrepresentation seems to be "the only play in Martinez's playbook," reports KTVK-TV.

The jurors on Tuesday also presented Miccio-Fonseca with several questions about the relationship between the convicted killer and the murder victim.

One juror asked if Alexander asked Arias not to publicize their relationship, to which Miccio-Fonseca answered that it was an implied request.

Another juror asked whether the dynamics between Alexander and Arias were similar to those in Alexander's previous relationships, but the psychologist said none were as "sexually charged" as his relationship with Arias.

The jury also showed interest in the motives behind a rant Alexander unleashed on Arias, calling her a "solid form of evil" via instant-messaging. The sex expert said she was unsure what triggered Alexander's rant.

"It's an erotic bond," she said. "It's powerful."

At the end of a long break Tuesday afternoon, Judge Sherry Stephens announced that Juror No. 3 was dismissed from the retrial without giving an explanation.

Related