Jodi Arias Trial Update Today: Convicted killer Jodi Arias lost her bid to delay the sentencing phase of her retrial. Attorneys for Jodi Arias wanted to put the retrial on hold while they waited for a ruling from an appeals court over the public's access to the courtroom drama.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens said on Thursday that she wouldn't rule on news organizations' request for the release of a transcript of testimony that was given in a closed-door setting until after Arizona's high court rule on the request by Jodi Arias to delay the trial. The denial means the Oct. 30 testimony may be released.

Jodi Arias was convicted of first-degree murder on May 8, 2013 in the June 2008 death of Travis Alexander, but the jury couldn't reach a unanimous decision on whether to sentence the former waitress to death or life in prison.

Alexander was found murdered in the shower of his Mesa, Ariz., home in June 2008. Alexander's throat had been violently slit, he was stabbed 27 times and shot in the head.

In Arizona, capital-murder trials have three parts. First, a jury has to find the person guilty of first-degree murder. Jodi Arias was found guilty on May 8, 2013. Second, jurors decide whether there were any aggravating factors. The jury found that the murder was committed in an especially cruel fashion one week later. The third is sentencing. 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 life behind bars or be eligible for release after 25 years.

An appeals court decision last week overturned a ruling that closed the courtroom as Arias' first witness testified. Her lawyers previously said the witness would testify only in a closed courtroom.

The courtroom was closed to the public when Arias' first defense witness gave testimony. It was later revealed that the witness was Arias herself. Judge Stephens explained that the secret witness wouldn't testify unless the hearing was closed to the public.

The Arizona Appeals Court dismissed Judge Stephens' ruling that closing the courtroom and ordered the release of transcripts of the testimony. Lawyers for Jodi Arias are appealing that decision.

A witness did testify on behalf of Arias under a pseudonym on Thursday.