Many trial watchers thought today’s testimony was boring. Jodi’s attorney is much less animated than the prosecutor. It’s difficult to match the intense energy of Juan Martinez.
In case you missed today’s testimony, highlights included:
• Jodi’s attorney requested that Jodi “re-create” the picture of she and her sister that the prosecutor showed the jury to prove that her finger was not injured. In the re-creation, Jodi’s sister was played by his co-defense attorney, Jennifer Willmott. It certainly was odd seeing Jodi standing with her hand around the neck of her attorney.
• The introduction of an edited version of the phone sex call between Jodi and Travis. In this edition, Jodi’s voice was edited out for the purpose of highlighting what Travis said on the tape. It’s surprising that this edited version of the tape was allowed in court. Isolating the words of Travis essentially meant that they were taken out of context. It’s unclear why this would be allowed. In a way, it’s almost like insulting the jury [i.e. pretend you didn't hear what you heard last week and only focus on Travis, the victim, who we are trying to make look like bad guy]. Hopefully, the jurors will have access to both tapes, the edited and unedited version, or they can simply recall what they heard earlier in the case.
• The introduction of additional entries of Jodi’s diary. In many of the entries, she wrote about her love for Travis and about suicide. She became upset when reading one particular journal entry in which she described in detail her thoughts about ending her life. Many people felt that it was callous of her to become upset about this journal entry. The purpose of these new journal entries, was to give Jodi the opportunity to again explain why she did not write anything negative about Travis in her journal. Some of the journal entries were ripped out of the journal, the intended implication being that Travis removed these entries.
Despite Jodi’s defense attorneys attempting to do damage control, the fact remains that there is no corroborating evidence to support her assertion that Travis was abusive. To believe Jodi’s story, you would have to believe her words, the words of a known and admitted liar.
After the re-cross of Jodi is complete, the defense will call psychological experts to explain Jodi’s behavior in the context of a battered woman or a woman involved in a domestic violence relationship.
What do you think? Are you buying Jodi’s self-defense story?
Thank you for this insightful blog!
I’m just a layperson interested in forensics ( of all kind ). It has always made me wonder what makes one person turn deadly, and the other not.
So I follow every possible analysis of cases like these.
As a layperson, I think already the facial expression and general demeanor of Jodi Arias reveal a fascinating case of a pathological liar – her inability to answer a question with a straight “Yes” or “No” is amazing .
This said, it reminds me of the fable of the boy who always shouted: ” Wolves, wolves are coming!” – at the end no one believed him.
So Jodi, she might be telling the truth maybe more often than one would think.
I have found this video http://youtu.be/7mXlwTZoMzQ
The few last minutes seem to quite plausibly explain her motive .
I believe Mr Alexander has used her, led her on, took advantage of the sexual gratification she gave him, but tragically, he did not realize how dangerous her narcissism and sense of entitlement would become .
As young adults we my all have met a person in our life that has led us on, or vice versa. But we go through the pain without harming the other.
It was so revealing to watch Ms Arias being cross-examined. The expression on her face was pure anger.
Mr Martinez is brilliant in his patience, and I think he shook her misguided belief, she were a match for such a professional, to the core.
He was basically “playing” with her, until she broke down.
I don’t think there is a way for the defence (which seems to be oddly unprepared in some moments) to stand against the facts of the forensic evidence, nor to “repair” the Arias’ testimony – the more she talked, the more she “harmed” herself.
Thanks for writing. You have many good insights. The only aspect of your observations that I may not agree with is the idea that Travis took advantage of her. She said many, many times that she was a willing participant in their sexual relationship. In fact, some see her as the aggressor rather than Travis. She probably used sex to keep him interested.
You are correct about the fact that the more she keeps talking the more harm she does. I am not sure that going on and on with her is the best way to mount a defense. It seems that the more she talks the more people are repulsed by her. I wonder if its having that same impact on the jury.
Cheers!
Dr. K.R.
Yes, thanks for pointing that out!
Travis is the victim, and he was the abused one in this relationship.
I’m following the case from Europe, so I have the least possible insight into this :)
I see where the weak point is in this theory, and now I am completely convinced that she is a picture book stalker everyone should be educated about.
Your article of her most condemning answer today proves it:
http://kristinarandle.com/blog/jodis-most-condemning-answer/
She chooses to kill in “self-defense” again rather then just avoid a potentially dangerous situation …
And also just today, the CBS blogger Chris Stark has tweeted the transcript of the evidence to the jurors – Travis’ texts to JA.
They are a tragic evidence of how in her mind she “had” to shut him up, because he was “endagering” her authority : http://www.twitlonger.com/show/la498l
Not sure how legitimate this evidence is, but it sounds very plausible, and Chris Stark posted it was a transcript:
https://twitter.com/stark3923/status/312063322457513985
If it is all true, then JA videos will be THE educational example of a stalker and sociopath to show not only to the expert audience , but to every highschool student to watch out for.
Travis is definitely a victim in an abusive relationship, and this is a schoolbook case for showing how the abuser breaks the boundaries in every aspect .
We read about thousands of cases of abusive relationships where the victim is a woman, and this one is reversed.
Gender actually does not matter.
Thanks so much for your helpful reply. She does seem to be exhibiting stalking behavior. Following her ex’s, slashing tires, arriving at their homes unannounced, writing threatening emails, etc. Have you seen the email that she probably sent to the woman Travis was dating after her? You have to see it believe it. This “Jane Doe” email was sent the day after the tire-slashing events:
“You are shameful whore. Your Heavenly Father must be deeply ashamed of the whoredoms you’ve committed with that insidious man. If you let him stay in your bed one more time or even sleep under the same roof as him, you will be giving the appearance of evil. You are driving away the Holy Ghost, and you are wasting your time. You’re also compromising your salvation and breaking your baptismal covenants. All of the commandments to break, committing acts of whoredom is one of the most displeasing in the eyes of the Lord. You cannot be ashamed enough of yourself. You are filthy, and you need to repent and become clean in the eyes of God. Think about your future husband, and how you will disrespect not only yourself but him as well as the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Is that what you want for yourself? Your future, your salvation, and your posterity is resting on your choices and actions. You are a daughter of God, and you have been a shameful example. Be thou clean, sin no more. Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to make the right choices. I know you’re strong enough to choose the right. Your Father in heaven is pulling for you. Don’t ignore the promptings you receive, because they are vital to your spiritual well-being.”
Bizare and creepy.
Dr. KR
Ugh! That is really creepy !
And thank you for posting !
There is certainly only ONE advice when receiving any kind of message like this:
go to the police.
Also, the law inforcement should ALWAYS be trained to take such mails and SMS seriously.
This tragic case (as many others) is a reference for the dangerousness.
Also: i love reading your blog!
Thanks so much. This is the type a of letter you take to the police. That letter came the days after two slashing tire events. I know they did try to report one of the tire slashings to the police but for whatever reason, the police never showed up to take a police report. You are right about police taking these types of emails seriously. This was written by a sick person, an obviously dangerous one who had murderous intentions. Scary. Appreciate your reading and leaving comments!
Dr.KR
OMG! Dr Samuels sent her cards, gifts? OMG!
Dr Quack is cooked! There are NO exceptions to the Canon of Ethics mandated by his licensing board! Keep hollering Juan! This jerk is in violation and blurred the lines, again. It’s a boundary violation. I can’t stand him. I hope Juan asks him how much he is being paid.
Juan has DESTROYED their expert!!! No amount of cross can rehabilitate, IMO. He is the finest prosecutor I’ve seen yet watching a trial. The best.
Why do you suppose that the defense changed their Dx. from global amnesia to disassociative amnesia? Did they think we wouldn’t notice?
Extremely unprofessional expert! Juan has revealed the full depth of his lack of competence. He’s worse than a sleazy used car salesman! The Arizona board better conduct a full and thorough investigation. He’s nearly as big a liar as his client.
He really looked bad on the stand. JM shredded his credibility. He was very unorganized, to say the least. Unprepared. This is probably the most high-profile case he’s worked. He thought he could handle it and has probably gotten away with this type of conduct and testimony in the past. JM is a different kind of prosecutor. He’s probably never faced anyone like JM before. I imagine it might be hard for him to find work again.
Dr.KR