Jodi Arias Trial Update: The Convicted Murderer Returns to Court

Jodi Arias made her first appearance in a Maricopa County courtroom since her sentencing trial ended in a mistrial on Thursday. Arias was brought into the courtroom in shackles by multiple jail officers and sat at the defense table while her attorneys met with Judge Sherry Stephens in her chambers, according to the Associated Press.

Thursday's hearing was called so Judge Stephens could check on the progress that both sides had made in preparing for a penalty phase retrial that was supposed to start on July 18. After a brief meeting a subsequent hearing was announced for July 18, it is unclear when a start date for the retrial would be.

Last week attorneys for Arias had filed a motion to request that the retrial be pushed back until at least January 2014, claiming that they will need the extra time to find and prepare witnesses to testify on Arias' behalf. Jennifer Willmott, one of Arias' attorneys, also had scheduling conflicts with the July start date, according to ABC News.

While Thursday's hearing lacked the fanfare and national attention that the murder trial had, there were no cameras and the courtroom was half full, some members of the jury that was unable to come to a verdict on sentencing were in attendance. Diane Schwartz, a jury member who voted for Arias to receive the death penalty, told ABC News that she felt compelled to attend the hearing.

"As the trial progressed, you became so invested in it," Schwartz said. "Not having the capabilities to finish, in my mind, what we had started...I want to see it through to the end."

Prosecutors still have the option to not pursue the death penalty and give Arias life imprisonment, although Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has announced that he does still plan on seeking the death penalty for Arias. Arias' attorneys have attempted to get the public to turn against the retrial by explaining that since they are court appointed to Arias taxpayers are paying for any further legal action, reports the Associated Press.

"It is solely for them to determine if continuing to pursue a death sentence upon Ms. Arias, who is already facing a mandatory life sentence, is a good and proper use of taxpayer resources," a statement made by attorneys Willmott and Kirk Nurmi read.

So far taxpayers have spent $1.7 million defending Arias, according to the Associated Press.