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[h=4]Jodi Arias sentenced to natural life in prison[/h]PHOENIX — Jodi Arias, who was convicted in 2013 for the 2008 murder of her lover, Travis Alexander, was sentenced Monday to natural life in prison after two juries could not reach an unanimous decision on whether to sentence her to death.
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Convicted murderer Jodi Arias was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing Travis Alexander in 2008. Follow the key moments in her case. VPC
Jodi Arias, left, and her attorney, Jennifer Willmott, during sentencing on Monday, April 13, 2015, in Judge Sherry Stephens Maricopa County Superior Courtroom in Phoenix. Judge Stephens sentenced Arias to natural life in prison for the 2008 killing of her boyfriend, Travis Alexander.(Photo: Mark Henle, The Arizona Republic)
PHOENIX — Jodi Arias, who was convicted in 2013 for the 2008 murder of her lover, Travis Alexander, was sentenced Monday to natural life in prison after two juries could not reach an unanimous decision on whether to sentence her to death.
Monday's ruling ended one of the more dramatic and notorious murder trials in recent history.
After Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens announced the sentence, the victim's sister, Tanisha Sorenson, shouted, "Burn in hell!"
USA TODAY
Juror treatment, conduct in Arias case raise questions
Stephens had the option of giving Arias natural life or life in prison with the possibility of release.
Before Stephens gave her decision, Arias' mother made a plea for a lighter sentence.
"I know that she is not the monster she is made out to be," Sandy Arias said before Stephens announced her decision.
And Arias' attorney, Jennifer Willmott, asked that the judge "not base this on what a mob on social media says."
Willmott said Arias is "repulsed by what she did, she really is.
"If she cries, people call them fake tears, if she doesn't cry they say she's evil," the defense attorney added.
Alexander's family spoke earlier in the hearing. Sorenson said to Arias: "Stop murdering my brother again and again by smearing his name."
Another of his sisters, Hillary Wilcox, reminded the courtroom of what Alexander and his family lost.
"He wanted to get married, he wanted a family," she said. "I am married. I have a family, a family he will never get to meet."
Stephens listened intently to both sides, then sentenced Arias to the harsher penalty.
USA TODAY
Juror who saved Jodi Arias' life speaks out for first time
The crime "was especially cruel," the judge said. "It involved substantial planning and preparation .... The defendant destroyed evidence ... and went to great lengths to conceal her involvement."
She said she saw no reason for leniency.
Arias will likely appeal her conviction, as her attorneys made a detailed record of their allegations of misconduct against prosecutor Juan Martinez over the course of two trials. The criminal-defense community, meanwhile, is assembling a dossier on Martinez with the intent of filing a complaint to the State Bar of Arizona regarding his conduct in the Arias case and others.
Alexander, 30, who was found dead in the shower of his Mesa, Ariz., home in June 2008. He had been shot in the head and stabbed nearly 30 times, and his throat had been slit.
Alexander's friends immediately pointed to Arias as a likely suspect. And explicit photos recovered from a digital camera found in Alexander's washing machine showed that the murder occurred after a tryst between Arias and Alexander. They had photographed each other naked in bed, and Arias had photographed Alexander in the shower where he was found. One photo even showed his bloody body lying on the floor.
After a salacious trial that was live-streamed through cyberspace and regaled in social and mainstream media alike, Arias was found guilty of first-degree murder. But the jury that convicted her was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether to sentence her to death or to life in prison.
A second jury was seated in October 2014 to again consider the life-or-death sentence. Although Stephens did not allow the retrial to be broadcast in any fashion, it still generated strong emotion.
The retrial took almost as long as the first trial — nearly five months — and that jury ended in a deadlock as well, with a single holdout against the death penalty. Under state law, Arias cannot be tried again and must be sentenced to life in prison.
The holdout juror — Juror 17 — was subsequently outed on social media and harassed to the point of needing police protection. The jurors who voted for the death penalty accused Juror 17 of having an agenda.
Last month, her attorney, Tom Ryan, said, "I believe a crime was committed by the release of confidential juror information, and we're going to the FBI to investigate."
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias juror: 'I didn't want this pressure' | 05:35Hear from the lone juror who cast the vote that saved convicted murderer Jodi Arias from the death penalty. Now the 33-year-old mother of three is getting threats to her own life. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias juror connected to prosecutor Juan Martinez | 01:32More information is coming to light about the sole juror who voted to spare the life of convicted murderer Jodi Arias. Turns out, the woman has a personal connection to prosecutor Juan Martinez. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias victim's family: 'There is no justice.' | 01:24Family and friends of Travis Alexander, the man Jodi Arias murdered, speak out after her case ended in a mistrial. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias jurors: 'Penalty should have been death' | 03:32Jurors in the Jodi Arias trial spoke out following a mistrial in her sentencing retrial. They said that 11 of the 12 were in favor of the death penalty and believed the one holdout, a woman, had an agenda. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias prosecutor stoic after mistrial | 01:59Opposing attorneys react after Jodi Arias' resentencing comes back as a mistrial. Prosectuor Juan Martinez says his thoughts are with the family of Travis Alexander. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias prosecutor 'frustrated' by mistrial | 01:45Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said he was frustrated by a mistrial in the sentencing phase of the trial for Jodi Arias. That means she cannot receive the death penalty. (March 5) AP
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALMistrial declared in Jodi Arias sentencing retrial | 01:30The jury in the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial is deadlocked and a mistrial has been declared. This means the death penalty is off the table and it is up the judge to decide whether or not Arias can ever be eligible for parole. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALThis prison cell is ready for Jodi Arias | 00:54Jodi Arias' future home is just over 86 square feet big, with a bare bed, sink and toilet. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias closed-door transcripts released | 02:39Jodi Arias closed-door transcripts released
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALDeath penalty still a possibility for Jodi Arias | 01:30An Arizona judge denied a motion by Jodi Arias' defense counsel to dismiss the possibility of the death penalty. The trial is expected to go on for another month. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias' secret testimony: 'Yes I killed Travis' | 01:14In a secret testimony just released to the public, Jodi Arias testified to killing her boyfriend, Travis Alexander. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias psychologist details depression, anxiety | 01:06A psychologist in the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial returned to the stand to elaborate on Arias' depression and anxiety. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias retrial resumes after weeklong break | 01:13A psychologist present in the last trial took the stand in the Arias retrial Dec. 15, 2014. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias trial: Jury questions witness about sex traits | 01:37A psychologist testifying on behalf of Jodi Arias fielded questions from the jury Tuesday, expanding on what she deemed a "toxic" relationship between Arias Travis Alexander. One juror was dismissed before the questions were fully answered.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJuror #3 dismissed in Jodi Arias trial | 01:42On Tuesday, Judge Sherry Stephens explained that juror No. 3 has been permanently excused. There are now 16 jurors left in the Jodi Arias murder sentencing trial. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias defense: Porn evidence destroyed | 00:46Attorneys for Jodi Arias filed a motion late Monday to dismiss all charges against Arias, alleging prosecutorial misconduct that thousands of files, mostly of pornography, were deleted from victim Travis Alexander's computer. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJudge closes courtroom in Jodi Arias retrial | 02:22The public and media were ordered by the judge to leave the courtroom Thursday in Jodi Arias' sentencing retrial. AZCENTRAL
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALX-rated evidence presented in Jodi Arias trial | 01:03The prosecution in the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial finished its summary of the facts of the murder Tuesday with a sputtering exchange of objections as jurors viewed and listened to X-rated evidence for a fifth day in a row. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJuror booted from Jodi Arias retrial on day two | 01:10A juror was removed after a bizarre encounter with a journalist outside the courthouse in only the second day of the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALLife or death? Jodi Arias back in court | 01:35Sentencing retrial is underway as a jury decides whether Jodi Arias should receive a life or death sentence for her murder conviction of Travis Alexander. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias sentencing: What to expect in retrial | 01:11Jodi Arias faces the death penalty in the sentencing retrial for her lover's murder. Prosecutors argued she killed Travis Alexander in an especially cruel way, shooting him in the head, slitting his throat and stabbing him nearly 30 times. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias defense tries to get death penalty dismissed | 01:29Attorneys for Jodi Arias filed a motion to dismiss the death penalty Wednesday morning, citing what they claim is a long list of misconduct by the prosecutor and law enforcement. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJurors in Arias trial dismissed over media blitz | 01:19Roughly a third of 300 potential jurors were dismissed Monday in the penalty retrial of convicted murderer Jodi Arias after telling a judge they had seen too much media coverage of her first trial to be impartial. (Sept. 29) AP
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias sentencing retrial begins: What to expect | 03:08Life or death is at the center of the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial. Will she or won't she take the stand again? VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALNew jury to choose between life or death for Jodi Arias | 01:27The Jodi Arias case had it all: sex, lies, murder. Monday morning, the next chapter opens with jury selection in the sentencing retrial, and It could end with an execution. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias judge denies media request to air trial clips | 00:30A Phoenix judge has denied the media's request to air portions of convicted murderer Jodi Arias' sentencing trial. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias to represent herself at death-penalty trial | 00:34A judge has granted a request from Jodi Arias to represent herself in her upcoming retrial to determine whether she deserves the death penalty. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias trial still making impact one year later | 02:40It's been a year since Jodi Arias was found guilty of murdering her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander. The effect of the trial still resonates with those closest to the Alexander family. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJournalists discuss Jodi Arias verdict anniversary | 01:39Arizona Republic columnist EJ Montini and reporter Richard Ruelas discuss the one year anniversary of the Jodi Arias guilty verdict and what made it the most salacious trial in Arizona’s history. The Arizona Republic
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias returns to court | 01:03Convicted murderer Jodi Arias returned to court Tuesday for a hearing ahead of her penalty phase retrial. Don't expect the same level of drama this next time around.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias wants lead attorney fired | 01:53In a handwritten complaint, Jodi Arias described dysfunction among the defense attorneys in her murder trial and said she wants to fire her main attorney Kirk Nurmi.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias penalty trial delayed | 01:35Chris Williams explains why Judge Sherry Stevens postponed scheduling the Jodi Arias penalty trial
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias' prosecution: She 'tortured' her cat | 01:32Exclusive sidebar footage shows Jodi Arias prosecutor Juan Martinez asking the judge if he can discuss Arias squeezing her cat, alleging that she 'tortured' animals. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias prosecutor pushed animal torture theory | 02:13Unsealed Jodi Arias trial video and audio reveal how far Juan Martinez wanted to push a defense witness and who was behind getting rid of juror number 8. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias jury foreman: "We felt like we had failed" | 01:53Jodi Arias trial jury foreman, Bill Zervakos, tells 12 News what it was like to serve on the jury
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias exhales as judge announces mistrial in penalty phase | 00:44The jury deciding Jodi Arias's sentencing is hung, and there was a mistrial. She will have a retrial to decide her penalty on July 18. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias jury can't make decision | 01:32The jury returned from deliberations unable to make a decision in Jodi Arias's sentencing. The judge gave them guidance to try again and sent them back to continue deliberating. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias tells jury what she'd do if she gets life | 02:23Jodi Arias told a jury Tuesday that she can contribute to society if allowed to live, saying she'd like to start literacy, recycling and other programs in prison. (May 21) AP
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias lawyers refused mistrial request | 01:26Lawyers in the Jodi Arias trial were denied a mistrial and claim that witnesses meant to take the stand received threats and intimidation. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias awaits fate on possible death penalty | 02:43The Jodi Arias jury agreed there were aggravating factors in the killing of Travis Alexander. She is now eligible for the death penalty. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias off suicide watch, back in jail | 00:56Jodi Arias is no longer on suicide watch and is back in jail. She will only be allowed outside of her cell for one hour each day. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias trial's weirdest moments | 02:13A look back to the awkward, intense and odd moments from the lengthy trial of Jodi Arias. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias: I prefer a death sentence | 01:12Jodi Arias was found guilty of killing her boyfriend Travis Alexander. Minutes after the verdict was handed down, she spoke with Fox affiliate KSAZ and said that she would prefer the death penalty. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALRaw: Jodi Arias convicted of first-degree murder | 02:05Jodi Arias has been convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday in the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend in Arizona after a four-month trial that captured headlines. (May 8) AP
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALDramatic moments in Arias trial: USA NOW video | 02:42Desair Brown hosts USA NOW for May 8, 2013, covering memorable and dramatic moments throughout the Arias trial. USA TODAY, USA NOW, Kaveh Rezaei,
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias attorney closes with love, lies, sex and dirty secrets | 02:14With the closing arguments delivered, the Jodi Arias jury is now in control of the "Killer Romance" trial.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias defense: Jury must decide "what happened in those 3 minutes" | 01:50Jodi Arias' defense attorney Kirk Nurmi began his closing arguments by speaking to the jury, telling them they must decide "what happened in those 3 minutes" before Travis Alexander was killed.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias prosecution: Jodi must ‘bask in the light of truth’ | 01:48State prosecutor Juan Martinez began his closing argument in the Jodi Arias trial saying that Arias needs to move from the limelight to the ‘light of truth.'
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias doodles on passionate last day of testimony | 02:04Jodi Arias' behavior and a fiery cross examination mark what is supposed to be the final day of testimony in the Killer Romance Trial.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias juror exits as state rests its case | 02:02The Jodi Arias trial takes an unusual turn on a day highlighted by the state’s final witness describing gruesome evidence.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias' journal read in court | 01:22An expert witness in the Jodi Arias trial was pounded with questions on the entries in the journal of Jodi Arias and says her writing should be "read at face value." VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias jury: "Isn't the perpetrator of the greatest violence Jodi?" | 01:06Jury members question domestic violence expert Alyce LaViolette on who committed the greatest domestic violence in Arias and Travis Alexander's relationship. The Arizona Republic
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias trial's dismissed juror breaks her silence | 03:00The juror who was mysteriously booted from the Jodi Arias trial reveals her identity and addresses the spectacle surrounding her surprising return to the courtroom. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias murder trial gets new juror | 00:56An alternate juror joined the Jodi Arias murder trial Wednesday, after the judge dismissed another juror after questions were raised about her impartiality. (April 3) AP
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias' lawyer: 'Rock star' prosecutor breaks rules | 01:39Defense Attorney Kirk Nurmis is using a courthouse video as ammunition for a serious allegation against prosecutor Juan Martinez in the Jodi Arias case. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias prosecutor leaves psychologist at loss for words | 01:31Prosecutor Juan Martinez accused Dr. Richard Samuels of getting it wrong when the psychologist ruled Arias as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and a form of amnesia after killing her boyfriend, Travis Alexander. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALArias takes the stand for the last time | 02:10After 18 days on the stand Jodi Arias ends her testimony with another round of questions from the jury and a fiery exchange with the prosecution.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJuror to Jodi Arias: 'Why should we believe you now?' | 01:45Jurors asked questions of defendant Jodi Arias, charged with murdering her boyfriend, for a second day. Several of the questions asked Arias about lies told during the investigation. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias answers jurors' sex questions | 01:33Jodi Arias, on trial for killing her ex-boyfriend, was asked why she stayed with him after learning he had sex with her while she was asleep and liked child pornography. VPC
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias reaches breaking point and demonstrates attack on witness stand | 02:50Jodi Arias stands to show “linebacker stance” of Travis Alexander as she shot her lover
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias breaks down while being questioned about the murder | 01:59Cross examination continues in the Jodi Arias trial KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias describes moments before killing her lover | 01:51Arias details having sex multiple times before killing but stops short when court recesses. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias fires back during heated cross examination | 02:08Jodi Arias impacted prosecutor to the boyfriend she killed as state picks apart her story of self-defense
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias describes shooting but can’t remember slashing lover 27 times | 02:14Jodi Arias: “I didn’t mean to shoot him.” Arias describes killing Travis Alexander in most important testimony to date.
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias phone sex recording plays in court | 02:18Jodi Arias and boyfriend Travis Alexander recorded a raunchy phone conversation just weeks before his death. Arias is on trial for Alexander's 2008 murder. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias Exclusive: Judge OKs controversial testimony | 02:04Jodi Arias documents from closed hearing show she will claim Travis Alexander’s lewd acts while looking at pictures of children. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
THE JODI ARIAS TRIALJodi Arias trial fuels Web tabloids | 03:02Jodi Arias on trial for salacious Arizona murder. Trial capturing tabloid headlines world wide KPNX-TV, Phoenix
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