Judges grapple with misconduct claims in Jodi Arias case

Jacques Billeaud, Associated Press
Updated 5:05 pm CDT, Thursday, October 17, 2019

PHOENIX (AP) — Appellate judges who will decide whether to reverse Jodi Arias' murder conviction in the gruesome 2008 killing of her former boyfriend grappled Thursday with who was responsible for whipping up publicity during the salacious trial and whether alleged misconduct by a prosecutor should cause the verdict to be tossed.

A lawyer for Arias told the Arizona Court of Appeals that prosecutor Juan Martinez improperly questioned witnesses, ignored rulings on evidence, courted publicity and made an unfounded accusation that an expert on her defense team had an inappropriate relationship with Arias.

"The theme of the (prosecutor's) case was: Everybody else you should ignore, but me," said Cory Engle.

Terry Crist, a lawyer for the Arizona attorney general's office, told the judges that he believes Martinez may have occasionally violated court rules, but none of his actions should lead to a reversal of the conviction.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Court-to-hear-appeal-of-Jodi-Arias-murder-14540617.php