Jodi Arias' lawyers want a new sentencing venue, Jodi Arias' defense team has said that the “plethora of unrestrained and bombastic coverage of the previous proceedings" in the Phoenix region would make it impossible for their client to be judged by an impartial jury. They want Arias' sentencing trial moved to another venue.
“Ms. Arias’ research indicates that 70 percent of the media coverage that took place in Arizona, took place in Maricopa County,” her attorneys said in a motion filed with Maricopa County Superior Court on Tuesday.
In May, the 33-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder for killing her boyfriend, Travis Alexander, back in 2009. The jury was unable to come to unanimous agreement about whether Arias deserved the death penalty or life in prison.
Judge Sherry Stephens said Monday that she needed to review motions put forward by the defense and set a new hearing for September 16.
Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Willmott, Arias' lawyers, say that their client has a right to a fair trial, and that daily courtroom broadcasts, social media scrutiny and even a made-for-TV movie could influence potential jury members.
“Ms. Arias’ research indicates that 70 percent of the media coverage that took place in Arizona, took place in Maricopa County,” her attorneys said in a motion filed with Maricopa County Superior Court on Tuesday.
In May, the 33-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder for killing her boyfriend, Travis Alexander, back in 2009. The jury was unable to come to unanimous agreement about whether Arias deserved the death penalty or life in prison.
Judge Sherry Stephens said Monday that she needed to review motions put forward by the defense and set a new hearing for September 16.
Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Willmott, Arias' lawyers, say that their client has a right to a fair trial, and that daily courtroom broadcasts, social media scrutiny and even a made-for-TV movie could influence potential jury members.
