The closing statements in the drama-filled trial were heard Tuesday and the jury now has to determine if Jodi Arias will be sentenced to life in prison or be given the death penalty on Monday. The second set of jurors for Arias' case began deliberating before the clock struck 2 p.m. inside the Maricopa County court.
The 34-year-old defendant was initially found guilty of first-degree murder back in May 2013. According to the first jury, Arias has the capability to kill a person in a very cruel manner. However, the jury was not able to come up with a unanimous decision if she would be allowed to live or die. Back in October, the second set of jurors was called to finish the task that the first jury failed to do.
During the retrial, Arias claimed that she was a victim of physical and sexual abuse by Travis Alexander, the victim of the murder back in 2008. Arias' defense lawyer Kirk Nurmi stated during the closing statements that she was abused, which should be the reason why she should not be given the death penalty. The defense lawyer also said that she is just a girl and a young woman, urging the jurors that by giving her a death penalty means that they will be "killing this girl."
"Do you kill this girl who grew up in horrific conditions and was a victim of abuse? Do you kill a girl who lived an otherwise good life, except for these few moments? If you mark death on your form, you're choosing to kill this girl. You're ending this girl's life," the lawyer said.
Meanwhile, Maricopa prosecutor Juan Martinez encouraged the jurors to focus on Arias' ability to commit a crime, which is why she deserves to get the highest form of punishment.
According to Martinez, "This is not a case about love, it's a case about murder. She's the one that used a gun, she's the one that used a knife."
Arias' final conviction is expected to come out next week.
