Jodi Arias Trial Update Today: Judge Rules Venue Unchanged in Jodi Arias Retrial; Live TV Coverage and Twitter Barrer

Jodi Arias trial update today hln:  Judge Sherry Stephens ruled that the Jodi Arias judge ruled that the case will remain in Phoenix. The judge also rule that there will be no live television coverage of Jodi Arias' penalty phase retrial. In spite of defense arguments that intense publicity will make it difficult to find impartial jurors, the 

In May, Jodi Arias was convicted of the grisly 2008 murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander. The former waitress and budding photographer stabbed him 27 times, shot him in the face and cut his throat from ear to ear with such force she almost took his head off. Jodi Arias said she did it in self-defense. She claimed Travis Alexander had a violent outburst while they were shooting a nude video and she dropped his camera. The jury found her guilty but couldn't decide whether to sentence her to life in prison or give her the death penalty

In her ruling Friday, Judge Stephens wrote "The court expects there will be significantly less media coverage of the case during the retrial of the penalty phase." Stephen also banned the use of all electronic devices inside the courtroom. Reporters covering the Jodi Arias trial won't be able to use Twitter.

Arias' lawyers wanted the retrial moved out of the Phoenix metropolitan area because of excessive publicity, but Stephens ruled the move wasn't necessary as she plans to summon 400 prospective jurors, saying "Jurors with preconceived notions about the appropriate sentence will be excused."

Under Arizona law, Jodi Arias' murder conviction stands, but prosecutors can pursue a death sentence in the penalty phase with a new jury. If the second jury fails to reach a verdict, the death penalty would be removed as an option. Judge Stephens would then sentence Jodi Arias to either spend her entire life behind bars or be eligible for release after 25 years.

The Jodi Arias judge also ruled that the trial will remain in Phoenix. Attorneys for Jodi Arias argued that it would be hard to find impartial jurors because of the intense publicity the case will draw. The Jodi Arias judge also banned all electronic devices from the courtroom. This means that reporters will not be able to use Twitter to deliver the real-time updates to the public. This marred the first phase of the Jodi Arias trial.

Jodi Arias alleged that Alexander had a history of domestic abuse and was particularly sadistic with her. The jury rejected her allegations but couldn't decide whether the she should get the death penalty or be sentenced to life in prison. Arias made public statements that she preferred death to life in a cage, but balked when she realized what that would do to her family. Her guilty verdict still stands as the defense and prosecution prepare for the new phase in the trial that will determine whether prosecutors will still go after the death penalty for Arias.

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