After hearing remarks from Jodi Arias on Tuesday jurors began deliberating whether or not to administer the death penalty to the 32 year old former waitress. As of Wednesday afternoon the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision and told by Judge Sherry Stephens to continue deliberations, according to the Arizona Republic.
"Each juror has a duty to consult with one another, (and) to try and reach an agreement without violence to individual judgment," Stephens told the jury. "You may want to identify areas of agreement and disagreement. If you still disagree, you may wish to tell the attorneys and me what issues, questions or law or facts on which we can possibly help."
In the state of Arizona if the jury is unable to decide on a penalty they will be dismissed and the sentencing portion of the trial will begin anew with a different jury. If the second jury is unable to decide the fate of Arias she will be given life in prison, according to ABC News.
Arias addressed the jury on Tuesday and asked that she be given life imprisonment as opposed to the death penalty, reversing the view she expressed in comments to reporters after her conviction.
"I can't, in good conscience, ask you to sentence me to death because of them," Arias said while pointing at her family.
The jury being deadlocked is a bit of a surprise as most people, Arias included, thought that the jury would come to a decision rather quickly. In anticipation of a quick decision Arias had her possessions moved out of her cell at the Estrella Jail, according to the Arizona Republic.
In a joint interview with the Arizona Republic, 12 News and NBC's "The Today Show" Arias spoke about how she will handle the jury's inevitable decision.
"Whatever they come back with I will have to deal with it," Arias said. "I have no other choice. I don't know about the ultimate decision, but my attorneys think it will be quick."
The jury will meet again on Thursday to see if they can come to a decision.
© 2025 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
