Arias tells jury what she'll do if allowed to live

May 21, 2013 @ 11:12 am


Jodi Arias looks at her family on Monday, May 20, 2013 during the penalty phase of her murder trial at Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Ariz. Arias was convicted of first-degree murder in the stabbing and shooting to death of Travis Alexander, 30, in his suburban Phoenix home in June 2008. (The Arizona Republic, Rob Schumacher, Pool) | Zoom

PHOENIX (AP) - Jodi Arias told a jury Tuesday that she can contribute to society if allowed to live, saying she'd like to start literacy, recycling and other programs in prison.

Arias addressed the jury in the penalty phase of her trial as the panel considers whether to sentence her to life in prison or execution.

After five months of trial, Arias told the jury she never meant to cause the family of Travis Alexander - who she killed - so much pain. The same jury convicted her of first-degree murder in Alexander's death.

Arias' voice wavered with emotion as she read from a sheet of paper with Alexander's family looking on in the gallery. She said she didn't kill herself after Alexander's death because of her love for her own family.

Holding up a white t-shirt with the word "survivor" written across it, Arias said she would sell the clothing and donate all proceeds to victims of domestic abuse.

She said she understands that some people don't believe she was a victim of domestic abuse, but that she still sees that to be true.

She showed the jury a picture of her best friend and said she didn't testify on her behalf because she received threats.

Her lawyers have said Arias is the only witness they'll call to testify on her behalf.

The judge instructed jurors they can consider a handful of factors when deciding what sentence to recommend, including the fact that Arias has no previous criminal record.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (6)


  • Add A Comment

  • vern ivan wrote...
    Triangles
    January 8, 2013 7:47 am
    Seems them "love" triangles never quite work out so good most times. One insane corner will collaspse the structure every time. This particular collaspe was extremely gruesome however. Be cautious whom you might flirt with.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    play that back again -
    January 15, 2013 5:35 pm
    listen to that moaning!! faster! faster!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    woman accused of killing her motivational speaker ex-boyfriend more than four years ago in a jealous rage
    January 29, 2013 6:54 am
    who was he "doing".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    Lesson: Never take the practice girl home
    April 19, 2013 9:29 am
    with you. (someone told me that).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Wow.................
    May 8, 2013 11:58 am
    Quote: Alexander suffered nearly 30 knife wounds, was shot in the forehead and had his throat slit before Arias dragged his body into his shower. He was found by friends about five days later. End quote.

    If this psycho bi tch doesn't go down for murder, they must have found the exact same jurors on the O.J. trial......in the state of Arizona.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    give her a gun
    May 13, 2013 3:56 pm
    and shut the door. End of story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }