Jodi Arias Trial Update: Defense Rests Its Case As Travis Alexander's Ex Takes The Stand in Death Penalty Trial
Lawyers in the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial wrapped up another intense week after the defense rested its case, and the ex-girlfriend of murder victim Travis Alexander took the stand.
Arias's defense team rested its case on Tuesday, giving way for the prosecution to begin presenting the state's case as to why the convicted killer deserves to be put to death for the murder of her ex-lover.
On Wednesday, Alexander's ex-girlfriend, Deanna Reid, denied claims made by the defense team that she was once physically assaulted by Alexander.
"It's important because it's showing Travis Alexander isn't an abusive man that the defense is suggesting is," legal analyst Jen Wood told KPHO. "Deanna Reid is actually getting out that he was a very loving person, he was a good person, he would never do that to her -- never touch or harm her -- and that's exactly what the state wants this jury to hear."
In turn, defense attorney Jennifer Willmott tried to chip away at Reid's credibility by charging that Reid wasn't being truthful in early depositions when she stated that she unaware if Alexander was having sex with other women.
At one point, Reid showed hostility toward Willmott, who she claimed was misleading the jury.
"There is quite a bit of sparring going on between Jennifer and Deanna because what Jennifer Willmott is trying to do is show that Deanna Reid wasn't exactly honest that she's had sex with Travis Alexander," Wood said. "But in the reality of it Jennifer Willmott and the defense didn't come out and ask Deanna Reid if she had sex with Travis Alexander, so it's a matter of wording that they are fighting over."
After giving secret testimony back in October 2014, Arias declared she will not be going back on the witness stand, which means prosecutors will not have the opportunity to cross-examine her, reports AZ Family.
Although Arias was found guilty of first-degree murder last May in the death of her ex-boyfriend, in her first trial, jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision on her sentencing. As a result, the retrial will determine whether she should be sentenced to death, life in prison or life with a chance of release after serving 25 years.
According to medical examiners, Arias stabbed Alexander 27 times, primarily in the back, torso and heart in his Phoenix home. She also slit Alexander's throat from ear to ear, nearly decapitating him, and she shot him in the face before she dragged his bloodied corpse to the shower and took pictures of him.
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