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
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
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
Members of Travis Alexander’s family could be heard sobbing as the judge announced the hung jury.
The family left the courthouse. #TravisAlexander sister said the justice is in the afterlife when Jodi burns in hell. #jodiarias
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.
