Though it may have come as no surprise to many of the American public, Jodi Arias’ guilty of first-degree murder verdict and possible death sentence surprised her. Not that it matters. The jury in the Jodi Arias murder trial will reconvene today to decide whether to sentence her with the death penalty or life in prison with no chance for parole.
So what exactly does it take for the jury to render a death sentence or life imprisonment? First, its important to note that first-degree murder in Arizona, according to the state legislature, is defined by killing another with premeditation.
Today the jury will deliberate whether there was cruelty involved without a reasonable doubt. It is during this aggravation and mitigation stage that the jury decides whether the assailant is worthy of capital punishment. The prosecutor will present his case to show the existence of aggravating circumstances and the defense will conversely evidence as to the existence of mitigating circumstances.
The simple fact of premeditation in and of itself might be enough to sway a jury to consider cruelty beyond a reasonable doubt, possibly resulting in death for Arias.
After her guilty verdict was read to Arias and a watchful nation, she told KSAZ-TV in a courthouse interview that, of the verdict, “It was unexpected for me, yes, because there was no premeditation on my part.” Oddly enough, though, Arias made it crystal clear that she prefers a swift death as opposed to life in prison, citing that “death is the ultimate freedom,” a sentiment she made equally clear years ago when all of this began.
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery issued a statement after the verdict was read, saying, “We look forward to the next phase of the proceedings, where the state will present evidence to prove the murder was committed in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner.”
Cheers erupted outside the courthouse as well, showing full well the extent and depth this trial had in captivating the public. Of course, the trial gained infamous notoriety with the explicit sexual details, gruesome nature of the murder, and seemingly odd personality of Arias herself. Over 600 pieces of evidence were presented in the more than four month long trial that featured over 18 weeks of testimony, 19 days of which Arias herself sat on the stand.
Though Arias contends that she prefers to be put out of her misery, I have to wonder how sincere she really is. If she’s being honest, then I wonder if the jury will sentence her to life in prison in spite of her wishes. But, could this be some cheap ploy for getting out of the irrevocable action? Such is the moral dilemma faced by this jury, to acquiesce to the wants of a murderer or to consciously banish her to rot in a 6 x 8 foot cell. Either way, I think its safe to consider Arias’ capacity for any sane mentality or emotions completely lost.
