According to the Christian Science Monitor Jodi Arias’ legal bills have topped $2 million. This is a tab that’s being footed by Arizona taxpayers and that will only continue to climb with a new penalty phase set for March, officials reported.
On June 4, 2008, salesman Travis Alexander was murdered in his house located in Mesa, Arizona. Alexander missed two appointments, prompting friends to go to his house. They found his naked body crammed in a stand-up shower. He sustained 30 stab wounds, a slit throat, and a gunshot to the head. Jodi Arias, 33, Alexander’s ex-girlfriend, was charged with first-degree murder for his death. At trial, she testified that she killed Alexander in self-defense. However, she was convicted of first-degree murder on May 8, 2013. The murder and trial received widespread media attention. The trial was broadcast live.
Cari Gerchick, Maricopa County spokeswoman told The Associated Press that the county had paid $2,150,536.42 for her court-appointed attorneys, expert witnesses and other costs associated with her case, according to the CSMonitor.
Under Arizona law, while Jodi Arias‘ murder conviction stands, prosecutors have the option of putting on a second penalty phase with a new jury. If the second panel fails to reach a unanimous decision, the death penalty will automatically be removed from consideration, and the judge will sentence Arias to spend her entire life behind bars or be eligible for release after 25 years. In many states, the death penalty would be off the table if the jury couldn’t agree. For jobs in Arizona, click here.
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