Judge bans live TV coverage of Arias retrial

[alp227]

Source: AP

PHOENIX (AP) — Live television coverage of Jodi Arias' penalty phase retrial will be banned and the case will remain in Phoenix despite defense arguments that intense publicity will make it difficult to find impartial jurors, a judge ruled this week.

Arias was convicted of first-degree murder in May in the 2008 stabbing and shooting death of boyfriend Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home. The same jury failed to reach a decision on whether she should get the death penalty, setting the stage for a second penalty phase.

Under Arizona law, while Arias' murder conviction stands, prosecutors have the option of pursuing another penalty phase with a new jury in an effort to get a death sentence. If the second jury fails to reach a verdict, the death penalty would be removed as an option, and the judge would sentence Arias to either spend her entire life behind bars or be eligible for release after 25 years.

Arias' first trial garnered worldwide attention with every minute of the case broadcast live. Judge Sherry Stephens is hoping to minimize the spectacle this time by banning live television coverage.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/judge-bans-live-tv-coverage-arias-retrial

[Tx4obama]

1. This sucks. I've been waiting to 'watch' the penalty phase :(

[davidpdx]

2. Well at least it's only the penalty phase that is being retried

I think when it comes down to it she's going to get life, which is the best of the three possible options.

[ChazII]

3. Good for this decision

Arias was 24/7 if you lived here in the valley. Hopefully, she will spend the rest of her life in prison.