The Jodie Arias case was a trial that attracted the viewers of multiple American households. A case where the media can portray a young, good looking woman with the accusation of murder to how they see fit. With murder, sex , and motives, it was, and still is a media journalists dream. The Jodie Arias case was one of a kind. Not only did the case seem to peek interest to many, it hit social media records. It was streamed live, hit highs with Twitter and Facebook, and was a case many believe the outcome was influenced by the media and public. The description of the crime is what attracted all the attention. Jodi Arias was arrested in July 2008 for the brutal murder of her boyfriend, Travis Alexander. Travis was stabbed twenty-seven times; his throat was cut, and he was shot in the head in his Mesa, Arizona home. Jodi and Travis met at a Prepaid Legal conference and began dating. They fell in love, traveled together, and attended the Mormon Church together. Shortly thereafter, Travis ended the relationship with Jodi to pursue someone he found suitable for marriage. In the months following, friends of Travis say Jodi stalked him, although she still to this day denies these allegations. Following the murder, detectives found a camera in the victim’s washing machine. The camera contained pictures of Jodi and Travis engaged in sexual activity on the day of the murder, and pictures of Travis after he was killed. Despite this evidence, Jodi denied murdering Travis; however, she admitted to being present at his residence the day of the murder. When she was questioned the first time, she stated to detectives that Travis was attacked by masked men as she looked on from a distance. As the trial began, Jodi offered a second defense, stating to the court that she killed Travis, but acted in self-defense after repeated abuse by the victim. The trial of Jodi Arias is still active and the prosecution is seeking the death penalty due to the heinous nature of the crime. Jodie was deemed a key suspect after reading over the files from the Mesa Police report. The Mesa Police report stated On June 9th 2008 the department was called to a death investigation at 11428 E. Queen borough Avenue in Mesa, AZ. The party that called in the murder stated that they found the owner of the home, and that he was dead. It was not stated how long the body had been there, or what was the cause. The officers that went to the scene later had identified the victim. Travis Alexander was found lying naked in the shower of his apartment. His body was in the decomposition process, but were unable to give a time table how long the body had been there. During the officers search, blood was found everywhere throughout the apartment. Blood was located at the master bedroom, on the floors, walls and hallways. Officers deemed the brutal and initial attack was to Travis Alexander’s throat. Officers claim he was cut from ear to ear. After police had identified the victim, and searched the area it was later declared a homicide, and a warrant was issued. ‘On June 10, 2008, a search warrant was obtained for Travis’ home. The search warrant was executed at 0953 hours. Investigators from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Officer arrived to assist with the investigation. Travis’ body was removed from the shower after being photographed. His body appeared as though it had been rinsed off in the shower sometime after he was killed. He had numerous injuries and trauma to his body, which indicated he had attempted to fight back his attacker or attackers. The initial examination at the scene showed he had injuries consistent with multiple stabs wounds to his torso, upper back, and head. The most prominent wound was to his throat, which had been cut open almost from ear to ear. All of his injuries could not be documented at the scene, because of the amount of trauma, dried blood, and decomposition to his body’1 Police interviewed Travis’s two roommates. Both by the names of Zachary J. Billings and Enrique Cortez. Both claimed they rarely see Travis, and only rent rooms from him. Their last encounter from Travis before the murder was around four days prior. As more witnesses were being interviewed, Jodi Arias name was finally brought up. The first witnesses were Zachary J, Billings and Enrique Cortez the roomates, followed by friends such as Amanda McBien, Karl Brinton Hiatt, Dallin Forrest and Michelle Lowery. The final interview was with a woman named Marie Hall who had a planned vacation with Travis the following day. Jodi Arias name was then brought up. Witnesses including Maria Hall stated Jodi was Travis’ former ex girlfriend. Some claimed that Jodi was a bit obsessive and would manipulate Travis. She had plenty of access to Travis’s apartment, also stating that at times Jodi would get into the house unannounced. She described Jodi as a stalker ex girlfriend.
1 Flores,E , ‘Incident/Investigation Supplement Report (Case number 2008-1610844)’, 2008 Mesa, Az. Police
Maria Hall also talked about her concerns of Jodi. She claimed to be constantly worried of her because she was a bit obsessive and strange. Jodi would do things such as take and read his personal journals, ripped pages out of the new book he was writing, and would steal some of his personal items. Travis invited Hall on one of his work retreats to Cancun, Mexico, and she agreed to go as friends. They were supposed to leave on June 10, 2008, but when she had not heard from him in a few days, she told the court she got worried because she knew that he had a stalker. Hall continued that Alexander had informed her that Arias had followed him on dates with other women and once wriggled through his home’s doggy door so she could sleep on his couch. 2 Alexander said Arias had slashed the tires on his car more than once and sent him threatening emails. However, Alexander did not report these crimes to police. Hall testified that on June 9, 2008, she contacted Melissa Lowery and Dallin Forres, whom Hall told of Alexander’s silence before the scheduled work retreat. The three visited Alexander’s house and found his roommate and the roommate’s girlfriend there. Hall and Lowery remained outside as the roommate and Forres ventured into
2 Owens, R. (January 2, 2013). Jodi Arias Murder Trial: Woman Faces Death Penalty. In ABC News. http:// abcnews.go.com/US/jodi-arias-murder
Alexander’s room. Encountering a bloody mess, the roommate and Forres ran out shrieking, ‘He’s dead! He’s dead!’ Hall then called 911. As the investigation continued, there were many transitions that linked, as well as shifted the story. Key pieces of evidence in the brutal murder of Travis, are what set the trial on track, after accusations and original testimonies spiraled the story in opposite directions. One was DNA and hair samples, fingerprints, a spent .25- caliber shell casing, and the biggest of them all the camera. The camera which was a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9, and the pictures pulled from it, were what the trial seemed to revolve around. What drew the attention of this camera was the sexual pictures taken between the two, the time stamps of when these pictures had taken place, the accidental murder pictures taken, and the attempt to dispose of the camera. Jodi had attempted to destroy the camera using the washing machine, as well as delete prior pictures on the camera itself before the attempt. The camera, which was used heavily during the trial, and initially was found in the police report is described as follows. ‘Several items of evidence were collected from the home. Some of these items of evidence included blood swabs for DNA typing, fingerprints, and hair samples found in the dried blood on the bathroom floor and baseboards. During the search for fingerprints, a small latent print was found at the entrance of the bathroom hall at waist level. The print was in blood and was near several blood swipe marks in that same general area. The section of the wall containing the latent blood print was cut out and seized so it could be analyzed in the controlled environment of the police identification and crime laboratories. A digital camera was also found in the washing machine in the downstairs laundry room. The camera appeared as though it had been run through a wash cycle with several articles of clothing in the machine. The camera had severe water damage, but the digital card was intact. We also discovered that all of Travis’ bedding had been washed and was found in the dryer. The camera was later identified as belonging to Travis. 3 The trial itself seemed to revolve around the digital camera. The media, the lawyers, and case itself seemed to focus on this piece of hardware. While Jodi tried to delete photos off the camera and destroy it in general, investigators were able to recover the deleted photos, and recover time stamps to each. One photo that was caught on the camera is a picture of the ceiling. Investigators deemed this important picture was taken precisely forty four seconds after Travis was last alive,
3 Flores,E , ‘Incident/Investigation Supplement Report (Case number 2008-1610844)’, 2008 Mesa, Az. Police
and from his last living previous picture. It was a photo taken exactly as Alexander was being attacked. With this photo, the time stamps to the others, lawyers pressed the camera as their main piece of evidence linking Jodi to the murder. This statement by officer Flores in his initial police report first brought the time stamps, and the links between Jodi Arias, Travis and the pictures. ‘On 6-19-08 I received the images located on the memory card in Travis’ digital camera. The digital card had several pictures on it, including some, which had been deleted. The deleted pictures were of Travis naked in the shower, just before his death. The first one was time stamped on 6-4-08 at 1722 hours. There were several pictures of Travis as he was clearly posing for the camera. The last picture taken of Travis alive was at 1730 hours. Some of the following pictures were of a subject on the floor of the bathroom bleeding profusely. There were other unallocated photos on the digital card that would have to be retrieved. Once retrieved, were time stamped starting on 6-4-08 at 1340 hours. The first retrieved photo was of Jodi Arias lying nude on Travis’ bed posing for a picture. There were eight pictures total, six of Jodi Arias and two of the victim Travis Alexander. All were nude pictures and some in provocative sexual poses. The date and time of these photos is consistent with the date and time of Travis’ death. This also indicates, Jodi was lying about not seeing Travis since April of 2008. This also proves that Jodi was the last person I can prove had contact with Travis prior to his death’. 4 The steps that took place during the trial are as follows. In the criminal justice process that the defendant Arias would experience is grand jury indictment or a preliminary hearing to establish probable cause. Prosecutors present evidence to a grand jury without the presence of a defense attorney for grand jury indictment. A preliminary hearing is an alternative to grand jury indictment. indicted by a California grand jury on July 9, 2008, thus establishing probable cause to prosecute. The final step before the criminal trial is arraignment to advise the defendant of the charges and allow the defendant to enter a plea, usually guilty or not guilty. Sometimes, arraignment takes place at the same time as the initial 5 Jodi Arias was appearance. However, Jodi Arias was arraigned on September 11, 2008 and entered a plea of not guilty. It is at this point that Arias and her defense attorney may have benefited from a plea deal to potentially avoid imposition of the death penalty. Since the defendant pleaded not guilty, the case moved on to the trial phase
4 Flores,E , ‘Incident/Investigation Supplement Report (Case number 2008-1610844)’, 2008 Mesa, Az. Police
5 The Judicial Branch of Arizona, ‘case procedures’, Maricopa County, http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/
In the case of Arizona versus Arias, the prosecution went for seeking the death penalty. Therefore, the jurors must meet certain criteria which are determined by questioning of the potential juror’s view on the death penalty. The current standard for death penalty jurors is based on the case of Wainwright vs. Witt, which states if a potential juror has strong opinions about the death penalty that would prevent or substantially impair the performance of duties, the juror should be dismissed. The jurors must be able to fairly weigh death penalty versus life without parole. Based on Jodi Arias nature of her crime, and her acts, and the decision of the jury, Jodi Arias was convicted on May 8, 2013 of first-degree murder of her on-and- off lover Travis Alexander, in a sensational trial that has gained international attention over a several month span. Jodi Arias, the woman who has garnered international fame for the sordid details of her rocky love affair and savage murder of Travis Alexander, learned her fate at the end of a four-month-long trial. About 20 minutes after the verdict was read, Arias spoke to Fox News in an exclusive interview in a holding cell in the courthouse. Arias appeared mostly calm and chose her words carefully, holding back tears a few times, much as she did during the trial, according to selected parts of the interview that were broadcast.
6 Wainwright v. Witt ‘ 469 U.S. 412 (1985) ‘US Supreme Court’, ‘http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl? court=us&vol=470&invol=1039’
The reporter, Troy Hayden, described the meeting as a preplanned 45-minute sit- down. Arias said she would prefer the death penalty, which family members of the victim also have asked for.’ 7 Jodi Arias’ second penalty phase trial has been scheduled to begin in September 2014. Jodi Arias was guilty in the murder of Travis Alexander in 2013. She was allegedly accused of stabbing her boyfriend 30 times, before shooting him. A case that her convectors claimed were all out of jealous rage. She defended by saying that the death occurred while she tried to defend herself, after initially lying she wasn’t even there. This was a hit on social media, both Facebook, Twitter and on blogs. These were the main sites that exploded this news. The Arias matter was exaggerated by media since anyone could put any information on face book or twitter. And with thousands and thousands of people able to see this information within minutes, all as it is happening, it has a direct influence not just on any court case, but any topic of conversation or story in general. Everybody was vigilant on the ruling of the matter that was made concerning this case. They all demanded media have attendance of the ruling. Arias was given a conviction, though many still wanted a death penalty. The first trial allowed media
7 The AZ Republic, ‘Jodi Arias murder case’ , The Republic, www.azcentral.com
and the public attendance, and it was broadcasted lively. This was taken so serious that attendance confirmed a high turn out of masses who demanded transparency. This had an impact on Arias’ trial as her right to an impartial jury was not guaranteed. She in this case requested that it may be done in closure, though this was in question as it is violation to the state’s constitution. While many social media platforms allow people to speak about any topic, the same goes for a court case. Because the trial had such attention, the influence against Jodi, along with the court itself began to feel the pressure. While social media allows people to speak freely, and optimize their voice, it can also create distractions, as well as violence. Since the media coverage was so high in the Jodi Arias case, everyone was tweeting about it. Twitter, which allows users to send messages back and fourth for the public to see on a desired topic, reached record traffic the days of the trial. Anything regarding a topic on the trial was being talked about, and people were debating and talking about it as it was happening. Because of the new age in technology compared to many years ago, the ability to type anything and have it be seen by millions of people in a matter of seconds, is something where anyone with a brain cannot argue, that some things might have a possibilty to be influenced. For this instance, it was the Jodi Arias trial The problem with Jodi Arias and the media was the fault of her own. Jodi embraced the media. She loved the attention. She wanted to do interviews, she wanted to be in the spotlight, all at the same time of pleading her innocence. When a beautiful woman, accused of a brutal murder, is willing to talk and be the center of the spotlight, while embracing the limelight, the media cater to it. And while the media will cater to it, the people will watch. ‘The Jodi Arias case has become a real- life soap opera watched by people around the world and dozens of fanatics who camp out on a Phoenix sidewalk in the middle of the night to get into the show. A cable network has set up a stage nearby for daily broadcasts, and the spectacle is routinely among the most heavily trending topics on Twitter. Fans have traveled from all over the U.S. to be close to the action, often seeking out autographs from the key people involved in the case, namely one of the main attractions, prosecutor Juan Martinez’. 8 With her passion for attention, and the fact that shes a female being charged with the possibility of the death penalty, you have yourself an American fascination. The rarity of females charged with the possibility of death is slim to none, and will
8 The Republic, ‘Jodi Arias Murder Case’ , AZcentral http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/ 20130102jodi-arias-murder-case-timeline-prog.html
almost always certainly grab attention. A Wall Street Journal analysis of crime data brought up some interesting research regarding woman and murder. Take this information, add in some new technology, and the ability for people to express their opinions on the fly, and you have a breaking story that is bound to be talked about around the nation for months on end. ‘A Wall Street Journal analysis of crime data found that, between 2000 and 2010, women committed less than 10% of all murders in the United States, but a recent report by the NAACP found that women defendants only make up 2% of death row. Death Penalty Information Center executive director Richard Dieter told Business Insider that even fewer women actually get executed. He said “There’s just less enforcement of the death penalty at almost every stage for females.”The trials of Jodi Arias and Casey Anthony, and years ago the trial of Lorena Bobbitt, kept the nation glued to its TV. The trials of violent women have captivated America since the days of Lizzie Borden. These femme fatales will all go down in history as villainous, conniving women whose crimes boggled the imagination. Car wrecks that we can’t help but rubberneck. Why are we fascinated by these violent women and can they get a fair trial under such scrutiny? Death Penalty Information Center executive director Richard Dieter told Business Insider that even fewer women actually get executed. He said “There’s just less enforcement of the death penalty at almost every stage for females.” Dieter said women commit about 10% of murders but were responsible for the murders of 35% of intimate partners crimes between 1980 and 2008. Most juries see these as crimes of passion arising rather that will not be repeated, one-time offenses. Men don’t get the same benefit of the doubt due to the high rate of domestic violence against women. Jodi Arias admitted she killed Travis Alexander, but said she acted in self- defense because he was given to bouts of rage. Prosecutors said the killing was premeditated and fueled by jealous rage after Alexander said he wanted to break up with Jodi Arias and go to Mexico with another woman. Jodi Arias and Casey Anthony were both tried for killing people they loved. They both faced the death penalty. Casey Anthony was found not guilty. Jodi Arias was convicted’. 9 One direct outcome of publicity, who I mentioned earlier in a citation regarding the case was prosecutor Juan Martinez. Because of the media attention, and the following on twitter and other social media, people involved in the case became celebrities to the world watching. One newly crowned celebrity was Juan Martinez.
9 Tony Sokol, Kpopstarz, ‘Jodi Arias, Casey Anthony, Lorena Bobbitt Trials Continue to Fascinate America’, http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/41276/20130912/jodi-arias-trial-update-today-fair-trial-casey-anthony-lorena-bobbitt.htm
Juan Martinez danced in the courtroom after the conviction, and his TV following loved it. ‘ On March 28 it came back to haunt him when defense attorneys for accused killer Jodi Arias were able to introduce a string of e-mails ‘ over his repeated objections ‘ showing that victim Travis Alexander’s close friends had tried to warn Arias that Alexander was an abusive womanizer. And Arias’ lead attorney, Kirk Nurmi, suggested that Martinez’s love for the TV camera was lapsing into prosecutorial misconduct. At the close of the day, the jurors were called in one by one to be questioned on whether they saw Martinez signing autographs and posing for cameras outside the courthouse last week’. 10 While we can see the popularity of this case effecting the people involved, it also brought on the possibility of violence. Because of the mass following, and the use of social media, many people formed groups, and sides on their own opinions. Some believed Jodi Arias was innocent. They provided their own court rulings and evidence in the electronic world for all to see. While others felt strongly she was guilty and believed she deserved nothing but death.
10 The Republic, ‘Jodi Arias Murder Case’ , AZcentral http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/ 20130102jodi-arias-murder-case-timeline-prog.html
While it may seem innocent to have debates, some people took to their opinions very strongly. Death threats were sent to the people involved in the case who backed Jodi during her trial. People grouped together to form reasons why the people involved should be tolerated with, regardless if it’s the job they are doing. One instance was with defense attorney Jennifer Willmott. ‘The Republic learned that death threats have been made against defense attorney Jennifer Willmott and Alyce LaViolette, a domestic-abuse expert witness who testified in April in the Jodi Arias trial. A Maricopa County chief deputy sheriff on April 24 said the Sheriff’s Office looked into two matters regarding Willmott and confirmed that at least one was a death threat made from out of state. A California police agency was looking into the threats against LaViolette. 11 Influence with media happens everywhere. It happens not just with high profile court cases, but with athletes, celebrities, businesses, you name it. Media always and still does have an influence on the decisions or outcome of many things. Today though there is a different media. We the people are the new media. And we
11 The Republic, ‘Jodi Arias Murder Case’, Azcentral http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/20130102jodi-arias- murder-case-timeline-prog.html
are now able to express our opinions and thoughts for all to see, at any given time, on any given subject. With a power like that in today’s age, it is more than an influence. And the Jodi Arias trial is just a tiny look what social media, along with national TV can do to the court system. It can create typical lawyers, into fame seeking law fighters. It can make anyone on the defense of the underdog, worry about every word they are going to say not just for the sake of their client, but for their own lives and family. It can create arguments over who’s right, and who’s wrong, with the intention to humiliate the opposition in minutes . The Jodi Arias trial wasn’t a trial for people to watch and learn from, in hopes of our judicial system do what it’s designed to do, and deem the guilt or innocence of a woman. It was for pure entertainment. And it was broadcast for everyone to watch, enjoy, and boost ratings. All while allowing people to joke, bolster, and demoralize a woman, her actions, and her right to a fair trial. However part of it was her fault, along with her conviction. Jodi Arias loved the attention, and she played the cards the way she thought would benefit her. Whether or not one person says the media had influence on the trial or not, doesn’t matter. She encouraged these actions hoping for it to fall on her behalf. Jodi Arias committed murder, while playing the innocent card with the media, and it all backfired.