Ten years ago, Jodi Arias was sentenced to natural life in prison (known in most states as life without parole, or LWOP). After she was wrongly convicted of first-degree murder in an overly publicized trial with an unsequestered jury who voted 4-8 against the death penalty, the state of Arizona failed to understand that its sentiments about killing Jodi were not unanimously shared.
Now-disbarred prosecutor Juan Martinez and his elected boss Bill Montgomery wasted the public’s time, money, and resources when they tried again to kill Jodi in a second trial. Arizona’s repulsive and arcane “laws” permit these multiple murder attempts of a citizen.
In spite of the state’s second attempt, one juror held out and voted to spare Jodi’s life. This juror’s bravery stunned the public and people clamored to know the reason for her decision.
Her family’s statements to the media gave clarity. This juror had been in an abusive relationship, which she disclosed prior to being empaneled, and she recognized abuse when she saw it. When she was presented with evidence of how Travis abused Jodi, this juror knew the death penalty was unwarranted, and she voted for Jodi to live.
Now, the judge had to decide whether to sentence Jodi to natural life, or life with the possibility of release after 25 years. The judge had already betrayed her bias against Jodi by refusing to sequester both juries in what remains the most publicized case in Arizona’s history, publicity which the judge herself enabled by allowing the media to transform her courtroom into a studio set wired with their cameras and microphones, and allowing the media to livestream every moment.
The judge also betrayed her bias during the trial through her many rulings against Jodi in favor of the judge’s former colleague, Juan Martinez (the now-disbarred prosecutor).
Prior to sentencing, Jodi and her lawyers were prepared. In light of her obvious bias, Judge Sherry Stephens would likely impose the harshest sentence she legally could: natural life.
Today, Jodi fights her wrongful conviction with your help. You can support her fight for freedom at Justice4Jodi.com.
As a lifelong artist, she has continued making art at Perryville, the women’s prison in Arizona. Her art is available at ArtByJodiArias.com.
Her case is now in the PCR (post-conviction relief) stage of getting her conviction overturned. This is a long, detailed, arduous process, so let’s stay by Jodi’s side and see her all the way through to her long-overdue freedom!
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And Remember folks… as I always say – each day that passes takes us one day closer to Jodi’s release date.
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SJ
Team Jodi #WINNING <<<
Click the banner below to read Jade’s post – “Justice Denied: Why The Jurors Got It Wrong & How The Facts Decimate The State’s Case Against Jodi Arias.”:
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ArtByJodiArias.com – UPDATE
Jodi’s personal efforts to raise money for her appeals continue through the production of her art, which is sold at ArtbyJodiArias.com. Her art admin supports her efforts by running this “side hustle” of sorts on her behalf and taking none of the funds. The time and effort he devotes to this process (filing the taxes, trips to the post office every week to ship art) are an invaluable contribution.
If you are interested in another way to contribute to the cause, any purchase at ArtbyJodiArias.com is a legitimate way to support Jodi. You can also check out Jodi’s art on Instagram @ArtbyJodiArias.
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