Jodi Arias Trial Update Today HLN: No Re-trial Date Set at Yesterday’s Hearing; Next Argument Scheduled for Jan 19

Jodi Arias Trial Update Today HLN: Convicted killer Jodi Arias was back in court yesterday. The hearing in the Jodi Arias trial yielded no re-trial date. According to the blog Court Chatter, the next oral argument regarding the Jodi Arias retrial date is scheduled for January 13 at 9:30 a.m.

According to Court Chatter, "As parties emerged from the courtroom, prosecutor Juan Martinez looked pleased while [Arias attorneys] Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Wilmott did not."

The Jodi Arias hearing was a closed door event. The public and media have been barred from the trial since late last year. Former Maricopa County judge and federal prosecutor Mel McDonald, who is now a defense lawyer in Phoenix said the Jodi Arias judge didn't expect the nationwide publicity and coverage that the trial garnered. He said Judge Stephen is trying to find "an impartial jury" and not risk "prejudice and error."

The AP reported that Jodi Arias trial Judge Sherry Stephens has been holding hearings behind closed doors. The first Jodi Arias trial began with complete transparency and easy access. In December the AP Reported, "Over the last several months, she has heard arguments over sequestering the new jury, moving the case out of Phoenix, Arias' desire to fire her lead attorney and allowing live television coverage of the retrial, among other issues. She has denied each request, but quietly with orders released days after the secret hearings as the case languishes without public scrutiny even as Arias' legal tab is being picked up by taxpayers at a cost exceeding $1.7 million."

David Bodney, a lawyer for is fighting for transparency for media outlets like Arizona Republic, said "The trial court has gone from transparency to blackout and bewilderment. There have been repeated flagrant violations of the public's constitutional right to attend proceedings."

Troy Harden of Fox 10 in Phoenix took to Twitter to comment on the frustration of not being allowed back into the court room.

Jodi Arias admitted that she committed the grisly 2008 murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander. Jodi Arias maintains that she acted in self-defense. Jodi Arias was convicted of the murder of Travis Alexander in May. The jury found her guilty but couldn't decide whether to sentence her to life in prison or give her the death penalty. Judge Sherry Stephens dismissed the hung jury Prosecutors have been pursuing a second penalty phase. The Jodi Arias retrial will seat a new jury that the prosecution hopes will turn in a death sentence. 

Tags
world news
Jodi Arias
jodi arias trial update today
Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Gallery

Real Time Analytics