Secret witness in Jodi Arias trial was Jodi Arias; appeals court orders release of testimony
The Arizona Court of Appeals has ordered the release of transcripts of secret testimony in the Jodi Arias murder trial in an opinion reveals the identity of the witness: Jodi Arias.
The appeals court opinion (PDF) indicated that Arias wanted to testify in private at her resentencing after receiving threatening mail and death threats, report the Associated Press, the Arizona Republic and Reuters. Arias’ lawyers had contended media coverage would affect her ability to be “able to fully communicate what she wants to say, communicate her remorse and go through all the mitigating factors and get them out there in front of the jury.”
Judge Sherry Stephens had allowed the secret testimony without identifying the witness or indicating the reason for her decision. News organizations appealed, and the appeals court barred further secret testimony last month pending an expedited appeal.
The transcripts won’t be immediately released because Arias’ lawyers are asking the Arizona Supreme Court to review the case.
Arias was convicted in the 2008 slaying of her former boyfriend, but the initial jury deadlocked on the death penalty. A new jury is considering her sentence.
