Jodi Arias Death Penalty: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

A hung jury has been declared in the Jodi Arias death penalty trial, according to Fox 10 News.

Arias was found guilty in 2013 of killing her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, at his Mesa, Arizona home in 2008. Arias stabbed Alexander 27 times and then shot him, leaving him for dead.

The jury was not able to reach a decision. As a result, Arias will be sentenced to life in prison.

Here’s what you need to know:


1. The Jury Had Been Deadlocked

Deliberations began Feb. 25 and the jury had been deadlocked until Thursday, when they announced they were still hung. The jury had informed the judge that she they were at an impasse on March 3, and they were sent back to continue to try to reach a decision, according to AZCentral.com.


2. Sentencing Now Falls to the Judge

stephens

Judge Sherry Stephens will now handle the sentencing phase of the trial. She will decide whether Arias will serve natural life in prison or be eligible for parole after 25 years.


3. Another Jury Couldn’t Reach a Decision

Jodi Arias Sequester

This was the second jury that was unable to reach a decision in the sentencing phase. A hung jury was declared in 2013 during the first sentencing phase. The jury voted 8-4 in favor of the death penalty.

Former jurors spoke to the media after the hung jury. One of the jurors, Diane Schwartz, told KPHO:

I would like to see the death penalty, however, what I’ve learned in the process is that while I support the death penalty, and I want it to happen, I know how hard it is.

Some of the jurors from the previous trial were at the announcement of the verdict Thursday, sitting with the victim’s family, according to local media reports.


4. The Victim’s Family Argued for Arias’ Death

Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander

Members of Travis Alexander’s family could be heard sobbing as the judge announced the hung jury.

His family testified in October asking the jury to sentence Arias to death, according to the Huffington Post.

“When I lay down at night, all I can think about is my brother’s murder,” said Steven Alexander during tearful testimony.


5. Arias Previously Said She Wanted to Die

Arias testified during the penalty phase to ask for life in prison, but not long after being found guilty, Arias said she wanted to be put to death.

She told MyFoxPhoenix.com that she didn’t want to live out her days in prison and would rather die “sooner rather than later.”

Arias told the news station in 2013:

I believe death is the ultimate freedom and I’d rather have my freedom as soon as I can get it.