Though Jodi Arias has already been convicted in the murder of her ex-boyfriend, whether or not she will get the death penalty is still being decided. She is facing a second penalty phase to determine her future, and jury selection begins on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Arias admitted to killing Travis Alexander in 2008 at his suburban Phoenix home, but claimed it was self-defense. He suffered at least 25 knife wounds, had his throat slit and was shot in the head. Prosecutors said Arias murdered Alexander in a jealous rage when he wanted to end their affair.
The 34-year-old former waitress was found guilty last year, except jurors couldn't determine a sentence. Arias' murder conviction stays intact, but prosecutors are putting on the second penalty phase with a new jury in a second effort to secure the death penalty.
After efforts to settle the case did not work and legal motions to forgo the death penalty were denied, Arias' life will be up for debate again, and in the hands of her lead attorney, Kirk Nurmi, that she neither wants or trusts, Click On Detroit reported.
Arias needs to persuade only one juror to vote the state's decision down to avoid the death penalty. While the odds may seem in her favor, it won't be easy for a defense team that has complained that their witnesses have been threatened, intimidated and pressured into silence by people who have it out for Arias.
The state is expected to argue that the murder was especially horrific, a violent attack that included dozens of stab wounds, a knife wound to the neck that hit the spine, and a bullet to the head to make sure he was killed.
Arias' strange behavior around the time of the murder is likely going to be used to push the state's case for the death penalty. She allegedly stole her grandfather's gun, got rid of incriminating evidence, including the weapons used in the attack and met with a prospective love interest hours after killing Alexander.
