Although everyone was in place for the aggravation phase of the Jodie Arias trial, court was abruptly canceled until May 15, without explanation.
While it is not clear what led to the postponement on Thursday, some court watchers speculate that Arias’ defense attorneys might be seeking to have her evaluated in light of the interview she gave, shortly after being convicted of first degree murder of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander, yesterday.
Arias, who stabbed Alexander 29 times and shot him to death in 2008, reiterated on Wednesday that she would prefer receiving the death penalty as opposed to serving a life sentence.
“I’d prefer the death penalty,” said Arias. “Death is the ultimate freedom.”
Meanwhile, other court watchers speculate that today’s postponement could be the result of Arias’ defense attorneys calling it quits or she might have fired them.
During the aggravation phase, jurors will decide whether Arias murdered Alexander with “extreme cruelty.” If a unanimous decision is reached that she did so, then this opens the door for Arias to receive the death penalty.
Court will resume on May 15th.
It’s called the penalty phase. 🙂