Jodi Arias' courtroom drama is definitely far from over, as three of the possible witnesses for her defense decided to refuse testifying in open court for fear of being harassed by the public.
Arias' lawyers are requesting the court to take the death penalty off the possible verdict for their client because of the recent turn of events. According to Arias' defense team, the defendant will not be able to get a complete defense because of the refusal of the witnesses.
The identity of the three witnesses were not released to the public, but the lawyers working for Arias' defense reportedly said that they are her former workmate, her long-term boyfriend, as well as one of the murder victim's friend when he was still alive.
On Wednesday, the Arizona Court of Appeals overturned the Oct. 30 ruling by the Maricopa County Superior Judge Sherry Stephens that prevented the public from hearing the testimony of the first witness called by the Arias' defense team for her retrial. The initial ruling by Judge Stephens allowed the witness to testify behind closed doors because of the witness's refusal to be identified publicly. This ruling was challenged by three Phoenix TV stations including the KTVK, KPNX, and KPHO, as well as the Arizona Republic, and said that the judge's decision violated the First Amendment that allows the media to attend the court proceedings.
Reports are saying that the unidentified witness was Jodi Arias herself, and she was the one who requested to testify in private.
The jury is currently hearing all the evidences of the case to decide whether Arias will be given a life sentence or the death penalty for the murder of Travis Alexander in 2008. Arias received a guilty verdict last year, but the jury failed to come up with a majority decision for her punishment, which is why a retrial is needed to finalize her sentencing.
The Jodi Arias retrial is expected to last until early 2015 before the final ruling will be reached.
