Closing arguments begin on Thursday in the murder trial of Jodi Arias. After four long months and 36 witnesses later, the prosecution will present their closing arguments to the jury.
The last round of witnesses took the stand on Wednesday. Dr. Robert Geffner, a psychologist, testified for the defense that Arias suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to ABC News.
"We're looking at a consistent pattern of trauma," Geffner told jurors.
Geffner's testimony is intended to rebut testimony by expert witnesses for the state who said Arias showed signs of borderline personality disorder, not post-traumatic stress.
Whether Arias suffered from PTSD or a borderline personality disorder is crucial to the jury. If Arias suffered PTSD from a history of domestic abuse, then the defense claims she acted in self-defense to save her own life will have merit.
"The tests would indicate significant trauma, and significant issues that cause symptoms with the way this person views themselves, the way they experience themselves, which could be present in an anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder," Geffner said of the four diagnostic tests taken by Arias.
The prosecution wants to use its expert witnesses to convince the jury that Arias suffered only from a borderline personality disorder, not PTSD. The symptoms of a border line personality disorder - unstable relationships, inappropriate anger, elements of paranoia - support the state's case that Arias is a jealous, serial liar who planned the murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.
Arias is charged with 2008 the murder of Alexander. She initially denied having killed her ex-boyfriend, but later admitted to killing him in self-defense. Alexander was shot and stabbed almost 30 times in his Arizona home.
The defense is expected to make their closing arguments on Friday. The case will then be handed over to the jury for deliberation.
If convicted of murder, Arias could face the death penalty and become just the fourth woman in Arizona's history to die by lethal injection.
The trial resumes on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET. You can watch the live stream HERE.
