Jodi Arias Makes the Case for Her Life

Jodi Arias asked the jury for life in prison over death.
Image: Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic/
Reuters/Landov

Just weeks after telling news media outlets that death would be the best sentence for the crime of murdering her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander, Jodi Arias asked her jury this week for life in prison rather than the death penalty.  Arias was recently convicted of murder in the first degree for stabbing the victim 27 times, slitting his throat and shooting him in the face in June of 2008.  The case has developed a cult following, with an entire show on Headline News channel devoted exclusively to the Jodi Arias trial, and Arias has presented multiple fronts to try and win affection from the public.

Jodi Arias and ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander,
before he was brutally murdered.

  Even though shortly after her early May conviction she told media that death would be the only freedom from her ruined life, the convicted murderer told her jury this week that life in prison would be the best option so that she could give back to society.  In the middle of her claims of suicidal thoughts throughout her time in prison, Arias used Twitter to give updates to her supporters and drive traffic to a site that sells art on her behalf.  She also designed t-shirts for survivors of domestic violence that will donate all proceeds to nonprofit organizations and promises to teach fellow inmates to read and speak Spanish.

  The change in attitude puts a heavy decision on the jury about the ethics around the death penalty.  Arias says that the death penalty is revenge rather than justice, and that her death would only cause more needless pain and suffering to those involved.  If the crime was committed in self-defense as Arias claims, her promises to support domestic violence victims and give back to society may convince jurors to spare her life when the death penalty seemed likely, even desired by Arias herself, just weeks ago.