Jodi Arias begins life imprisonment sentence in maximum prison

On April 13, the fate of Jodi Arias was finally revealed. After almost seven years of legal battle, Arias was sentenced to life imprisonment in a maximum prison located 30 miles west of Downtown Phoenix. On top of that, she is not eligible for release after serving 25 years in prison, reports Fox 10 Phoenix

Travis Alexander, the victim of the brutal murder, has three sisters who continually urged Judge Sherry Stephens to sentence Arias to the harshest punishment there is. After the sentencing, Tanisha Sorenson, the youngest sister, shouted "burn in hell" while Arias was leaving the courtroom.

Another sister, Samantha Alexander shared how heartbreaking it was, saying, "He was there for five days. Five days he is there decomposing in the shower. I'm sure his soul was screaming for someone to find him." 

Hillary Wilcox, the other sister, shared that she just wants to forget about the entire thing. She said, "I don't wanna remember him anymore, because it hurts too much to remember him alive." 

After the sentencing, it seems like the three sisters are satisfied with the punishment given to Arias, who they described as "evil" and "unrepentant." It was also a sigh of relief since Arias' sentencing has been delayed several times. 

It was last year when Arias was convicted of first-degree murder, but the jurors could not come up with a punishment. There was a deadlock whether the punishment should be death penalty or life imprisonment. Last month, a new jury was picked and a deadlock happened again, leaving the decision to Judge Stephens. 

Arias put a knife to Travis's throat and stabbed him around 30 times more. Arias claimed that it was self-defense on her part as Travis reportedly emotionally and sexually abused her. However, prosecutors believe that Arias killed Travis due to a jealous fit after discovering that he was planning to go on a trip with another woman and wanted to end his relationship with Arias. 

As for Arias, she said, "I'm truly disgusted and I'm repulsed with myself." 

Her attorney Jennifer Willmot pleaded to the judge for the possibility of "a hope to live for," but also said that Arias feels good and is "ready for the next part of her life." 

News
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.

The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 

Today in the UK we celebrate Christmas and the period around it with many familiar traditions and activities. There is an understandable assumption that we have always done things this way. However, celebrating Christmas has a long and complex history and things change over time. 

Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country
Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country

The cardinal has spoken out against the excesses of the Maduro government.