Jodi Arias’ Twitter messages are pensive and defiant as she returns to her cell to wait for the last phase in her murder trial, life or death. Tweets about “haters” and apologies to taxpayers from Jodi Arias Twitter account are being portrayed as sarcastic and, in some cases, whiny by the media. The prosecution in the Jodi Arias trial rejected defense attempts to take away the death penalty option from the sentencing phase. Jodi Arias Twitter messages sound dejected as she has to wait until September to see whether she lives in a cage for the rest of her life or dies.

Jodi Arias posted two Twitter message after she left court. “The State rejected my 3rd request for a plea to settle quietly and less expensively. Off to retrial we go. Sorry, taxpayers.” And “a few of my dedicated haters came all the way 2 court 2day just 2 glare at me. I’m flattered. Thought it was I who had nothing better 2 do.” Jodi Arias didn’t identify anyone in particular, but she has gathered a strong following that would like to see her die.

Arias had told the court that if she were sentenced to life in prison she would be a model inmate and help her fellow inmates. Arias also tweeted about reading "To Kill a Mockingbird," and her own artwork.
Jodi Arias was convicted of premeditated murder in the killing of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander. The crime was particularly violent, Jodi Arias stabbed him 27 times, shot him in the face and cut his throat from ear to ear with enough force to almost take his head off in two minutes, according to the medical examiner. Arias at first denied she had anything to do with it and then admitted that she did it in self-defense. The former waitress and budding photographer said Alexander was given to outbursts of sudden violence that the couple kept secret. Arias said that he had a sudden fit while they were shooting a nude video and she had to protect herself.

The Jodi Arias trial hypnotized America with tales of sex, lies and videotapes. Jodi was cast as the ultimate femme fatale.

Prosecution contended that she did it in a jealous rage because Alexander was taking off to Mexico with another woman. The prosecution asked for the death penalty because of the extremely cruel and violent way Arias killed Alexander. The jury rejected Arias’ claims of self-defense, but couldn’t decide whether to sentence Jodi Arias to death or life in prison. Judge Sherry Stephens declared a mistrial, but left the guilty verdict standing. Defense wanted to take the death penalty off the table because they believed a jury couldn’t determine what constitutes “extreme cruelty.” Jodi Arias trial transcripts show that prosecution bullied the defense and key defense witnesses never appeared because of death threats or other warnings of retribution. Lawers couldn’t reach a resolution on the penalty phase and on Tuesday the judge raised the idea that a new jury could be assembled for another penalty phase by late September.

Judge Stephens told attorneys “It appears there are a number of issues that are unresolved. So I am reluctant to set a firm trial date for the penalty phase retrial at this time. Parties should work toward beginning trial in late September. That is my intention.”

Arias remains behind bars, awaiting a new trial, which does not have a date on the calendar yet. A new jury may be called to determine her sentence since the previous jury was unable to do so.
The next status hearing in Arias’ case is scheduled for August 26.

by Tony Sokol