Jodi Arias Trial: In Her Own Words.. How I Killed Travis Alexander With HIS Gun and HIS Knife

Posted by BOC Staff | Jennifer Wilmott,Jodi Arias,Juan Martinez,Kirk Nurmi,Travis Alexander | Wednesday 20 February 2013 1:30 pm
Photo Courtesy AP Pool

Photo Courtesy AP Pool

 

Phoenix, Arizona- In today’s highly anticipated morning testimony,  Jodi Arias finally “gets there”.

After weeks of what can only be described as the dog ate my defense testimony led by Kirk Nurmi,  Jodi Arias explains the events leading up to and during the murder of Travis Alexander.

Arias describes an irate and menacing Travis who bounds from the shower, causing her to drop his new camera and pouncing on her, knocking her to the wet tile floor.

“ A five year old can hold a camera better than you.” Arias stated Alexander screamed at her among other threatening expletives while she struggled to break free.

She then ran to the master bedroom closet and apparently using the Spiderman techniques she absorbed via osmosis from the alleged Valentines gift,  retrieved a gun she claimed Travis owned over two feet out of her reach while he was sprinting behind her.

She pointed the gun at him, did not realize it went off and then Travis, still coming at her, stumbles to his knees on the now bloody tile beneath him.  ( Editors Note:  As I have always said,  I believe the order of this injury is true and is important to the charges against her)

Enter gratuitous memory gap.

“I have no memory of stabbing him.” – Jodi Arias

Although Arias admits to having flash backs,  she states she cannot remember any other details with the exception of her crouched in the bathroom covered in blood and drops a knife she believes was upstairs used by Travis to cut ropes he used to tie her up to the bed.

She did however, have the presence of mind to grab the ropes, the gun, apparently removes and loses her shoes and has no idea what happened to the knife she used to stab Alexander 29 times and slit his neck from ear to ear.

Next memory she is driving in the desert with the gun she alleges was Travis’s  when she pitches it out the window at a random location,  then puts the ropes in a dumpster behind a gas station and washes blood off her hands.

Pause for Arias innocuous driving babble and road scenery.

“Why didn’t you call 911 and tell them what happened?”  Kirk Nurmi asks his sniffling but tearless client.

” …He attacked you, why did you feel You messed up pretty badly?”

“This time it was different, he had done it before and nothing happened, it was heightened.” Responded Arias.

While approaching a check point in Utah,  she feels like she will be apprehended there.

Arias decided to do a “whole bunch of things” to cover up she was ever there.

So .. “I called his phone to leave a voice mail”.  For nearly 16 minutes she says she tried numerous times to leave a cheery voice mail  to ask as if she was not present in Alexander’s home.

“I just thought they would be listening to his voice mail, so I just thought it would throw the scent off for a while.”

– Jodi Arias

Yes, she actually said that on the stand.   Defense Attorney Kirk Nurmi was observed writing a note to co-counsel Jennifer Wilmott to send an assistant out to Sam’s for an industrial size supply of Tums.

I made that part up.  Testimony continues following jury lunch break.

 

 

 

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2,253 Comments

  1. Word Girl says:

    Scout, I’m just wondering if you were to grab a loaf of bread, fresh from the oven, but cool enough to slice (yum!) would you grasp it in your right hand and use the bread knifein your left?

    Do any lefties here use ambidextrous knives? (Am I speling ambidextrous correctly?!)

    Lol, as if.

    Reminder that Arias had a cut to her left index finger at least. I see wounds on the scalp that lead me to believe this occurs then. It could have been purely necessity- this was not a wound I could classify as primary hand “centric”.

    B

  2. Pam says:

    Word Girl says:

    April 8, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    Quick question.
    Why did Mimi Hall agree to go to Cancun with Travis?
    Why didn’t she go to his house right away when she couldn’t reach him (or call his office about it?)

    ———————————————————————-

    WprdGirl, It is my understanding that Mimi had decided not to go to cancun because she was not interested in Travis. He accepted that but wanted her to go anyway as friends. Since it was going to be a group event and they would not be sharing a room/bed she decided to go.

    As to your second question, not sure on that one. I do not think they were talking on a daily basis, so a few days of not speaking would not be that unusual. Sadly it would not have changed the outcome.

  3. Pam says:

    @ word girl,

    I did not even know they had ambidextrious knives lol. I am a lefty too and not sure a left handed knife would be any different than a right handed one lol. As for the bread question from this lefty, I would grab the bread with the right and slice with the left.

  4. A Texas Grandfather says:

    Thanks for the photo links and the anatomy links Word Girl.
    They kept me from having to find my anatomy book.

    Photos of that type do not bother me. I have been killing and butchering chickens and animals since age five.

    The ME’s report tells us that nearly everything on the right side was damaged. This would have created almost instant unconsciousness and very quickly thereafter, death.

    In answer to your bread question, I could use either hand although the right would have better control. In the 1930′s small bakers did not slice bread. Every home had a bread knife and the bread was not sliced until needed. One could even go to a large automated bakery and buy bread off the line prior to it being sliced. Saved from one to two cents on the price. You had to furnish your own bag. And yes, my knife is both right and left handed. LOL

    I too have to laugh at the expression that Ms. Wilmont makes with her mouth and eyes from time to time. Sort of looks like a twelve year old questioning what she just heard.

  5. whodunnit says:

    Does anyone else think this is a possibility?
    If Arias was lying on the ground facing Travis, ( there bodies parallel, facing each other) she could have slit his throat from left to right by using her hand in a sort of back hand, pulling it it from his left down to his right.

    None whatsoever. Have you seen an image of the wound, or read the autopsy protocol? She nearly severed his head.

    There are not one, but two neck wounds- everyone realize that?

    B

  6. Survivor says:

    @ B
    So don’t pounce on me psych bees out there- but is anyone seeing any OCD or mild spectral autism in her?

    B

    I’m not a psych bee but a slightly experienced specimen! I have seen what I identify with (some habits die hard) OCD on several topics elated to JA but thought it was irrevelant. I do believe believe the “O” part can manifest itself with people/relationships as targets.

    I’m fascinated with this topic but am in a cast on my right hand (and am right-handed) and can’t type more. Will keep trolling for a few weeks and look forward to those with knowledge inputting.

  7. Survivor says:

    ugh, cast! **related** and only one believe. Sorry

  8. lyla says:

    AL referred to Jodi’s “manifesto”. What’s that all about? Is this weird or what?

    http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/04/08/can-arias-expert-handle-feisty-prosecutor?hpt=hp_bn17

  9. Amys Sister says:

    Tiberious says: (snipped) That he could have been a prince charming with his behavior towards JA,and have simply chosen a different princess to be his bride. He could have let her down gently and JA still would have reacted in a violent manner. The point is he is the victim here, and I do not believe for one minute that JA should be allowed to walk among us any longer. (snipped)
    _____

    I’ve been chewing on something… how long did Jodi plan to murder Travis? I know it’s not relevant to the outcome of the trial but it’s been on my mind in light of her journals and the deceit and obfuscations within them, which go way back before the week/s leading up to the murder, almost as if she knew long ago that other people would be reading those entries.

    I agree, Tiberious, it wouldn’t have mattered how Travis behaved… I have a suspicion Jodi long ago began to have passing thoughts that she might like to kill this young man. She spent some time toying with him first, much like a cat with a mouse, and after manipulating their drama into a well constructed crescendo she followed through with a long held desire to murder him.

    I’ll even go a step further and state that Jodi thoroughly enjoyed it, hence, she acquired another gun. IMO, this was not only because she planned on disappearing but also because she planned on finding another victim.

    AJMO.

  10. justice23 says:

    It was mentioned tonight on HLN’s new show “After Dark” regarding the Arias trial that Jodi was in fact left-handed. They were re-enacting what was assumed to be the scene in the bathroom with her taking pics of Travis in the shower when she allegedly dropped the camera. According to Mike Brooks, Jodi was likely taking pictures with her right hand and the first stabs to Travis were with her left (her dominant hand) as she would’ve been able to have done both if she was left-handed. Take pics with right hand while casually reaching behind her and grabbing the knife from somewhere hidden then stabbing Travis when he’s in vulnerable position.

    With the blood evidence showing the gun’s shell casing was on top of the dried pool of blood on the bathroom tile, I wholeheartedly believe he was stabbed first, then shot. The Medical Examiner’s seem to disagree on this point, but I don’t see any other way it could’ve happened based on the blood evidence. All the photos are here but this is the shell casing photo. WARNING: PICS ARE VERY GRAPHIC

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/jodi-arias-crime-scene-photos_n_2412031.html#slide=1946589

    There is no video yet for tonight’s “After Dark” jury verdict so unfortunately I don’t have the video to post here of the re-enactment of Jodi taking pics in the shower.

  11. whodunit says:

    link says
    in response to my question, is it possible Arias slit Travis throat from lying down face to face position?)
    ——————————————————————————————
    None whatsoever. Have you seen an image of the wound, or read the autopsy protocol? She nearly severed his head.

    There are not one, but two neck wounds- everyone realize that?

    B
    ———————————————————————————
    Got it. Yes I have sen the autopsy photos, read protocol- I was throwing out an outside of the box thought, imagining initial stab pulled them down to the floor, and that maybe his body weight pressure against the knife in that position had actually given an assist to the slice.
    So I’m back to her on top of him, pulling his head up from behind….
    But thank you for responding, please know the you are the last person whose time and savvy I would want to waste!

  12. Amys Sister says:

    Stars says: Ms. Willmott is very unprofessional.
    I have never seen an attorney make such inappropriate facial
    expressions. She looks like a petulant teenager.

    I have to say, in a very different way, I find her decorum as off-putting as Martinez’s on occasion. In my view, she does not project the qualities a criminal defense atty needs in a DP case. Not even close. Respectfully submitted- she is like nails on the chalkboard for me and reminds me of a tattletale sibling.

    B
    _____

    Somehow today she bugged the h e double hockey puck out of me too. Some of her objections are obvious coaching of the witness… she knows they won’t be sustained but she’s hinting at the witness how to or not to respond. That and her flippant body language. ‘Petulant teenager’ is aptly descriptive.

  13. A Texas Grandfather says:

    Word Girl

    I am sorry that I missed your question about the camera. This camera was a new one from Canon. Except for the main body and the mechanical things like shutter, most are stuffed with electronics. The lens is a separate piece that attaches with a mount. The part of the camera that captures the light or scene is a charged coupled device (CCD). Dropping the camera could damage the main body with a dent. On a film camera that could create a problem, but on a modern electronic camera probably not. The thing that could destroy it would be what she did by placing it in the washing machine for a wash cycle. Electronics and water are not good buddies and bleach is another major enemy.

    Cameras and lenses are tougher than most think they are. Lenses can be broken or the mount can be damaged so that the lens falls out of its mount. All of that can be repaired.

    The real problem is the labor cost to make the repairs and the cost of the components to achieve the repair. Because of the design of most of our electronics, including cameras, they are not real candidates for cost effective repair. It is simply cheaper to replace the unit.

    In this case, the forensics technicians needed to determine if they could recover information from the camera and its memory devices. They would have taken the camera to a qualified repair shop for an evaluation. The State forensics lab may have some one on staff with enough knowledge to do enough repairs or procedures to allow the data recovery that was used in the case.

    In the early days of personal computers, I have actually removed a damaged floppy disk from its paper case and pressed it flat and then slit another case and inserted the disk in it so the data could be recovered. That is a simple trick and most repair people have a whole arsenal of similar things they can do for data recovery. There are actually companies that do nothing but data recovery from various storage devices.

  14. Amys Sister says:

    (snipped) …is any___one seeing any OCD or mild spectral autism in her?

    B
    ____

    There’s not much going on in those bottomless black pit eyes of hers… the spacing out, awkward body movements and facial expressions, lack of emoting except that which seems mechanically intentional. Constant writing, head down, and smoothing of the hair. Moving things around on her table, need for control.

    In short, yes, but I’m no psyche bee.

  15. Malty says:

    Lots of you comment on Ms Willmott
    I hardy see her for some reason I get a feeling she wishes she had a different client
    But she will do her best for Jodi
    I don’t feel her heart is really there
    This is just my opinion

  16. Amys Sister says:

    Duchess says:

    April 8, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Whoops. The above link is good, but not the one I wanted to post. I’m gonna try again. New motion filed. Again, good day for the prosecution. http://media2.abc15.com/html/pdf/ariasmotion1.pdf
    ___

    It was a good day for the prosecution, Duchess. Probably the best day Juan has had since I’ve been watching. He settled into the questioning, was not offensive, but was still effective in keeping LaViolette on task no matter how hard she tried to outdance him.

    Obviously he and LaViolette/the defense were talked to by Stephens pretrial today and thank goodness. It was painful enough and could have been so much worse.

    Juan Maritinez IMO did outstanding work in the courtroom today. There was one place where I talked to Juan through my tv and that was when AL compared herself to LE or the FBI… I wish he would have drove home that LE and the FBI conduct interviews of other parties who hold information about the suspect they are assessing, something LaViolette never did. She chose to take the suspect at her word, conveniently for the defense.

    One small observation: Alyce LaViolette is highly combative for a witness who’s supposed to be objective and Juan’s behavior did not warrant it today IMO.

    As far as the shelving goes, is Nurmi trying to say that the prosecution’s crime scene specialist is not able to adequately do the following?:
    (a) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will
    help the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact
    in issue;
    (b) the testimony is based on sufficient facts or data;
    (c) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods; and
    (d) the expert has reliably applied the principles and methods to the facts
    of the case.

    They’re closet shevles with a purported weight limit and clothing items that couldn’t have weighed more than a few pounds as seen in photos. This shelving unit was used to support the defendant according to her own testimony so this absolutely will aid the trier of fact in understanding evidence. No, we don’t know exactly how much she weighed however any possible variance could be accounted for in the findings and I’m sure those shelves would still not hold her, even at 100 pounds standing on the edge and reaching up with only one hand to grab an invisible gun.

  17. Amys Sister says:

    @ Word Girl: I’m a lefty and either-handed. I can shoot a mean game of pool as a result. I can also use a knife, any ole’ knife, readily with either hand though holding the head with my left hand and cutting with my right might feel a little more natural.

    Ugh. That could never feel natural. :(

  18. Ragdoll says:

    The harry potter glasses.

    Who else would have LOVED to see JM cross examine Silly Sally?

    WRT to the stab wounds on Travis’ back and how they got there. It’s been suggested that Travis would have to have been on top, since the grid shows the killer had limited range of motion (hence the grid).

    Is this the body slam JA is referring to? Is this where he was shot and fell on top of her? Or perhaps he slipped (being wet) and fell on top of her.

    I’m trying to figure out how he went from the shower to receiving 9 concentrated but non fatal stab wounds, on his back.

  19. Ragdoll says:

    I am in ‘off beat sense of humour’ state of mind.

    Who’s familiar with that song….

    Alice. Alice. Who the f*ck is Alice? What are the chances that Sally and Alice are mentioned in the same song? Totally off topic. Sorry but I had to….

    Sally called when she got the word,
    She said: “I suppose you’ve heard –
    About Alice”.
    Well I rushed to the window,
    And I looked outside,
    But I could hardly believe my eyes –
    As a big limousine rolled up
    Into Alice’s drive…

    Oh, I don’t know why she’s leaving,
    Or where she’s gonna go,
    I guess she’s got her reasons,
    But I just don’t want to know,
    ‘Cos for twenty-four years
    I’ve been living next door to Alice.
    Alice, who the f*ck is Alice

    Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance,
    To tell her how I’m feeling, maybe get a second glance,
    Now I’ve got to get used to not living next door to Alice…
    Alice, who the f*ck is Alice

    Grew up together,
    Two kids in the park,
    Carved our initials,
    Deep in the bark,
    Me and Alice.
    Now she walks through the door,
    With her head held high,
    Just for a moment, I caught her eye,
    As a big limousine pulled slowly
    Out of Alice’s drive.

    Oh, I don’t know why she’s leaving,
    Or where she’s gonna go,
    I guess she’s got her reasons,
    But I just don’t want to know,
    ‘Cos for twenty-four years
    I’ve been living next door to Alice.
    Alice, who the f*ck is Alice

    Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance,
    To tell her how I’m feeling, maybe get a second glance,
    Now I gotta get used to not living next door to Alice…
    Alice, who the f*ck is Alice

    Sally called back, asked how I felt,
    She said: “I know how to help –
    Get over Alice”.
    She said: “Now Alice is gone,
    But I’m still here,
    You know I’ve been waiting
    For twenty-four years…”
    And the big limousine disappeared…

    I don’t know why she’s leaving,
    Or where she’s gonna go,
    I guess she’s got her reasons,
    But I just don’t want to know,
    ‘Cos for twenty-four years
    I’ve been living next door to Alice.
    Alice, who the f*ck is Alice

    Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance,
    To tell her how I feel, and maybe get a second glance,
    But I’ll never get used to not living next door to Alice…
    Alice, who the f*ck is Alice

    Now I’ll never get used to not living next door to Alice…

    *lol @ amusing myself*

  20. Ragdoll says:

    Killers Jodi and Creature still receiving paypal donations?????

    http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rjloqe

    Anyone familiar with Chris Stark and is she credible? I’ve read her tweets. She seems quite knowledgeable about the case. I remember her covering Caylee’s death, too.

  21. Pam says:

    Does anyone know the outcome of the motion filed by the defense to preclude the shelf evidence?

  22. GraceintheHills says:

    Ode says:
    April 8, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    Jodi is in MOO a paranoid narcissist. She thinks her IQ is up with Einstein’s yet she trust nothing including her own journal. She made sacrifices to Travis that she really thought were below her yet he still did not get it. He still was not convinced and she had no further need for him. He needed to pay for being so stupid.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Blink says: I find her in desperate need of validation in every way, at every turn- thought so in her interview with Flores.

    I wonder if that is coming off as narcissistic?

    She remains an enigma to me outside of the obvious borderline and anti-social observations-

    So don’t pounce on me psych bees out there- but is anyone seeing any OCD or mild spectral autism in her?

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    No pouncing, Blink. :) For all that testimony, Dr. S didn’t really tell us much so I am so looking forward to what Dr. Demarte has to say about her in rebuttal.

    Hi Ragdoll! Great to be back. xoxoxo

  23. Twitch says:

    If I were left handed it would make perfect sense to me to grab my victim with my right hand to pull the head back and slit the throat with my left going in a right to left direction across the throat… just the opposite of how I would do it as a right handed person.

    I would assume (which I probably shouldn’t) that even those who are ambidextrous would favor one side to the other, meaning one side is likely stronger and has more functionality than the other. If that is the case, I would want to use my stronger side for the actual slitting as I would have a better ability to complete my intended task.

    I was kind of in and out yesterday, but did I hear correctly that JA has actually written a manifesto while incarcerated and has actually signed/autographed it in the event she becomes famous? Does anyone else find this slightly creepy and very telling at the same time?

    I am not sure what ALV has reviewed that has led her to believe JA had no prior history of lying until AFTER she killed TA…it appears that she was not given everything to review for her assessment but like was presented in court by the defense only portions of texts, emails, IM’s, etc… mostly taken out of context..which seems to be the “go to” response for ALV, everything is being taken out of context.

    I am also confused why ALV would need to apologize to JA to gain her confidence and to encourage her to talk to her….she is an expert retained by JA’s defense team to aid in her defense. ..JA knew why she was meeting/talking to her..why wouldn’t she talk to her, this person is supposed to be helping her. I do feel that ALV was biased going into this based on the portions of materials she was given to review..obviously the defense is only going to want her to see the things that supports their defense, that’s the whole point, but she needs to acknowledge that her “expert opinion” is based on what she was given to review and what JA told her and that she may not have been given the entire convos to revw but perhaps portions that suit the defense only. This isn’t a negative against her, but own up to the fact your opinion was made based on what the defense gave you to work with only and you may not have had full disclosure of materials for your review. THAT would be an honest state ment versus the combative snark she has been spouting.

    But…as much as I like Juan, I have to say I do not think he is going about getting what he needs from ALV in the most efficient way he could. I am like him in some ways..I can’t let things go until I have made my point and you agree with it..ask my hubster..it drives him crazy when I argue the minutiae that serves no purpose than annoying both of us.

    Sorry for the mini-novella….just making up for my absence as of late LOL!!

    As always I look forward to everyone’s thoughts on this case..your brilliant minds and insight is truly amazing… I am glad I found Blink and the Blinksters…a place to bounce ideas and theories off each other in a positive, thoughtful, and considerate environment!!

    Ps…those of you aware of the jodiariasisinnocent-dot-com JA supporter site (same person also runs CA support site) it has come to light that the person/ppl running it are shady and possibly running a scam on the paypal accts set up to assist JA. The ppl that post on that site are psycho and throw out hate and threats against anyone that is not 100% in agreement JA is completely innocent, it is scary how much hate they spew considering who they are defending.

  24. Amys Sister says:

    Right off the bat LaViolette is being evasive and combative with the prosecutor.

    She won’t admit to finding Jodi to be truthful and will only say that Jodi was ‘credible’ and ‘believable’? It took five minutes to get there. I’m sure the jury is getting frustrated with her and frankly this is only going to trigger the jury into recognizing that things were not kosher with her assessment of the defendant. In other words, LaViolette is bringing more attention to the negatives which will stand out in the jury’s mind during deliberations, IMO.

    This is a tough case for the defense and its’ experts. LaViolette has enjoyed much respect throughout her years and I’m sure Samuels did as well, he seems like a nice man. Sadly for them they appear to be less than objective in a very public trial against a savvy prosecutor.

  25. Rose says:

    If JM brings in Dad, after age of 14 he said, is there an incest issue
    that’s not supposed to come before jury?

  26. lyla says:

    Sober mood in court this morning as JM questions AL about “secondary gain” (regarding Jodi’s truthfulness during her 44 hours with LV.)JM is trying to get at the objectivity of LV’s clinical assessment of Jodi’s statements regarding her relationship with Travis. Bottom line according to JM LV’s assessment of Jodi is “one-sided, obviously because Travis is no longer here to speak for himself”. The jury was asked to leave the courtroom for ten minutes. Council at sidebar. They are playing the interrogation tape for LV of Bill Arias telling Flores Jodi hasn’t been honest since the age of fourteen. We’re now to the cut finger and the gas cans. LV is being argumentative. JM is keeping his cool and getting his point across.

  27. Malty says:

    I am totally enjoying Martinez today
    I don’t know why the media keeps coming on negative toward him
    It seems simple where he is headed to me

  28. lyla says:

    @Malty says:
    April 9, 2013 at 1:58 pm
    “I am totally enjoying Martinez today
    I don’t know why the media keeps coming on negative toward him
    It seems simple where he is headed to me”
    —————————————————————
    He saved his “best” for the last. Today I’m impressed with him :)

  29. Pam says:

    Amys Sister says:

    April 8, 2013 at 11:03 pm

    snipped

    I’ll even go a step further and state that Jodi thoroughly enjoyed it, hence, she acquired another gun. IMO, this was not only because she planned on disappearing but also because she planned on finding another victim.

    ______________________________________________________________________

    I feel the same way. I her eyes I am sure a lot of people wronged her.

    ———————————————————————-

    A witness saw Laviolette approach (not accidentally ran into in the ladies room) Travis sister and speak to her. I am certain that this is why they were in chambers yesterday before court. Well at least on of the reasons anyway.

    As for the issue regarding the shelves, what I got from the motion filed is that the defense is saying that the examination of the shelves done last month is not exactly as the shelves were in 08. Different items on the shelves have different weights etc. Pegs not the same, the weight tested not the same weight as Jodi. blah blah blah. They want it out because they know it is harmful to her story.

    Still wondering what the ruling is or if there was a ruling on this motion.

  30. Amys Sister says:

    Malty says:

    April 9, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    I am totally enjoying Martinez today
    I don’t know why the media keeps coming on negative toward him
    It seems simple where he is headed to me
    _____

    I agree Malty. I think the media is still playing off of Juan’s previous overly strong cross but he’s handled himself smashingly yesterday and today. He’s good at what he does and he’s showing it.

  31. Ragdoll says:

    Just a tad concerned that the defense is going to use the ‘daddy raped me’ angle. AL would no doubt, back it up.

  32. tiberious says:

    I’m watching JM question LV about JA’s history of anal sex with prior boyfriends. I am pleased that he has hit on the fact that LV referred to herself as “old fashioned.”

    It has been my belief that consciously or not, she has formed her conclusions on TA being an abuser, in part based on his and JA’s sexual relationship. This goes back to my feelings that depending on one’s age, one might have different characterizations of this sexual act.

  33. A Texas Grandfather says:

    JM is slowly getting the information from ALV. He is also making the point that she does not want to give any answers that shed light on how and what she used to make her evaluation. This jury has shown via their many questions that they are alert to any type of answer that evades the question.

    The constant interruption from the defense is annoying, but is to be expected.

    Will JM be able to impeach most of ALV’s analysis? He is not there yet IMO, but is headed in the right direction.

  34. whodunit says:

    Many have complained about the drawn out process Martinez is using to cross ALV. I think that there is some value, in and of itself ( beyond the testimony itself), of seeing th e contrast between how she is with Martinez, and how cooperative she was with the defense. Non verbal communication.
    I really do think he is proving his point that Alv is biased- against Martinez himself, against the process of having her authority questioned, and biased towards Arias. She has cherry picked evidence , and made decisions about evidence to prove her own theory that angry emails and multiple sex partners is abusive to the point of justifying self defense in a situation where Arias was not under attack. She testified she was called in to review if this was a case of domestic abuse, so she was looking at everything through that prism in the first place, with no scientific approach, only reasoning based on her own experience.
    The majority of her expert witness experience, according to her CV testifying about domestic abuse has been in family court, where she would have been called upon to offer opinion on domsetic violence in custody issues, where her findings were used to corroborate or even take the place of a forensic psychologist on a custody case. This is very different than a death penalty case. So this is a big step for her, and she has probably never been under such scrutiny on the stand. ( I have been in family court in a custody case where a judge ordered outside evaluation -the equivalent to an expert witness- and it is radically different from what I am watching, thats for sure!)

    Ms. LaViolette is going to have a very short career in the expert business. I believe about 70% of this was prior prep by the defense, and I might go as far to call it bad lawyering, considering it was THEIR decision to put her in the instant matter and not the mitigation phase.

    She was well prepared to be that sort of witness, so who made the call to change her status?

    Lastly, I cannot lie, I roll played in my head at JM expense had I been in that box this afternoon.

    In particular, the exchange about expert orgasms was absolutely “depends” worthy. Immature and unprofessional but I know enough about me to know that I had been all over that like a cheap suit :)

    Mom 3.0- if you are reading- Did you ever drink Bailey’s from a shoe?

    B

  35. Ode says:

    I am pretty done with Laviolette. She has made a much to much subjective opinion about this case. I will not fault the prosecution for going at her hard…she is paid to be there. The judge even tells Ms. L to answer yes or no and Ms L. can not. I am not sure that any expert could come in and present a case for JA on self defense because there is no case, IMHO.

  36. Ode says:

    Blink you said:
    I find her in desperate need of validation in every way, at every turn- thought so in her interview with Flores.

    I wonder if that is coming off as narcissistic?
    ****
    I think that narcissistic people are in need of validation. They need to know that others are thinking about them the same as they are thinking about themselves especially if they are telling a lie…validate me that you believe me or beware of my wrath. As far as OCD she may well be but her real problem is her belief that she is what matters…no one else. If a narcissist is lying than that would be all the more reason to be validated. She is a narcissist and she is paranoid that others do not understand her worth.

    Understood. But enough about me, let’s talk about you already.

    What Do YOU think about me?

    Best. Line. Ever.

    B

  37. Word Girl says:

    Thanks to all the lefties and righties for your posts.
    Twitch, there is one problem with your thought about all of us having a dominant and less dominant hand. Lefties know all too well how the world is built: we have been adapting to it for a lifetime and our right hand is much stronger and adept than your left hand.

    So yes, JA could have sliced and diced with either hand. With purpose and rage, I think the wound could have been made from made from right to left, esp. if the face was profiling a bit to the right, as to give more weight to that side. I’m backing off my original thought on the incision–but I’ve got a plastics doc I plan to ask; until then “i dunno.”

    It’s all a guess, in some ways, and may come down to the type of knife used. How sharp was it? A truly sharp knife could have made a deep incision. As far as knives go, few are sharpened so the leftie can use it. Many have ambi handles (I use Shun knives for the most part) which is why many left-handers prefer a serrated blade because it is meant to cut straight down as a saw–sharp on both sides.

    Here are some leftie tools. https://www.leftyslefthanded.com/Left_HandedKnives_s/67.htm?searching=Y&sort=5&cat=67&show=9&page=1

    ATG thx for the camera explication. Very good to know. I once was told that water wouldn’t ruin a SLR (if that’s what they’re called), but sand could mean its demise. Lots to learn in this big ole world!

  38. Twitch says:

    @Word Girl

    Howdy & Thanks for the clarification on Lefties…I am obviously not a lefty, so I appreciate your corrections to my assumptions :-)

    ~~~~~~~~~~~
    ALV is becoming a joke in my opinion…just answer the friggin question already…there are a lot of the questions posed to her that a simple yes or no in response would suffice..she is like JA in that she has to get the final word.

    Juan got her to say some magical words today “I only have her word”…and we all know what “her word” is worth! I also think he did a great job today of showing her obvious bias towards JA. Granted as a paid defense witness there is an expectation that there would be some bias but not to the degree ALV has shown in this case unless all material she was provided for review was completely edited by the defense and huge chunks were “omitted”..no one who has been in her field for that long could be THAT gullible to blindly believe every word an admitted butcher tells you is truth with out a doubt..right?

    I wonder if ALV knows that Bobby Juarez had a futon?

    How can ALV not see a pattern of obsessive/stalkerish behavior based on the fact that she would not leave Futon Bobby alone and then moved on to his roommate Matt (who had a GF when she first started hanging around them…was she responsible for their breakup?)and heading (no pun intended) directly into a sexual relationship with someone that was really no more than an acquaintance at that point immediately following a 4yr relationship…she sees the new shiny toy and immediately obsesses over it and stalks it until it’s hers..until the next new shiny toy catches her eye

    Trial on Fridays…yay!!

  39. Jden says:

    Missing the trial this week, in Cabo… but very much appreciate the comments and glad to hear JM is making good headway. Muchas gracias to you all!

  40. Duchess says:

    @ Ragdoll
    From what I understand, Chris Stark is a journalist/blogger, that covered the CA case extensively. I personally am not familar with him, but that’s besides the point. Chris Start also, is now covering the JA case in the same manner as Ca. Chris Stark is accusing, or he had made it known to the public through his blog or writings, that Dr Phil paid money to Arias mother and father. Paying expenses for them to attend the trial. Alledgedly, it is the same protocol as it was for Cindy. Take notes everyday in trial, and then, after trial is over, we will do interviews. Dr Phil has come out publicly and denied this. I really have no other information whether this is credible or not. But, when all is said and done, I’m sure we be able to verify after the trial. To me, this is just one more repercussion, and justice moving forward from the CA outcome. Geez, what a precedence.

    Ms. Stark is not a journalist and does not develop any original content, I did find a blogger site which is a compilation of news articles written by others and just links, and a twitter where she refers to herself as a paid researcher.

    Dr. Phil never denied paying The Anthony’s BS foundation, and the amount was $600K. He is a sell out hack I used to respect a smidge, now he is a checkbook hack, imo.

    B

  41. Starsky says:

    Baileys? I’m OLD GREG. I’ve got a man-gina

  42. Duchess says:

    @lyla
    Oh I loved your JM dialogue you presented in response to my post concerning who really was the abuser, Travis or Jodi. Based on all I have read on JM, he is very successful at prosecuting DP cases. According to one expert review of JM , we ain’t seen nothing yet till closing arguments. So, I am thinking that he will probably work along the lines in which you posted. I hope so! Great post by the way! So true!

    @ sister
    Prosecution had yet another successful day. I enjoy watching JM. Terrific style, with a mind that holds AL to the fire with each and every comment she makes, then he in turn, impeaches her with her own words. Slowly, and methodically, he is destroying this witnesses credibility piece by piece. Was a long day for Alyce. Tomorrow will be yet another painful day for her on the stand.

  43. A Texas Grandfather says:

    Word Girl

    You are correct abut the serrated blade knife. The reason it will cut straight down is because of the off-set of the teeth. One facing right the next facing left over the length of the blade. Steak knives are made this way. Even a bread knife is built this way although the teeth are much wider and the off-set is small.

    Old type SLR (single lens reflex) cameras had very little electronics so water would not be as big a problem as would sand. I would not wish to get in the sand with any camera. Sand is an abrasive and will damage glass,(lenses) and metal parts.

    Where did this Baileys in a shoe come from? ROTFL

    Don’t ask, I fear losing your respect, lol.
    B

  44. Duchess says:

    Foe anyone who is interested in reading on the Dr Phil controversy:
    http://media2.abc15.com/html/pdf/ariasmotion1.pdf

    This is not about Dr. Phil? It’s the motion for the experiment I recommended, lol
    B

  45. Duchess says:

    Juan Martinez: This is not his first rodeo.
    :http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/03/04/20090304grant0304.html
    http://victimsheartland.forumotion.com/t6087-who-s-who-in-the-jodi-arias-murder-trial-of-travis-alexander
    Lots of good info on this page of who is who in the JA case

    Juan Martinez Maricopa County Prosecutor is considered one of Arizona’s top Death-Penalty Prosecutors. According to the Phoenix New Times, Martinez is despised by many Defense attorneys, “because he relentlessly plays hardball on the job.” A graduate of at Arizona State University, Martinez was licensed to practice Law in 1984 and joined the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in 1988. Martinez, according to the Times, rarely enters into plea bargains and is known to be meticulous in preparation and presentation.

  46. NaNa says:

    I am down with a nasty virus…but still have to work 9 hours a day or more, so I cant come home and watch the trial (Im just too whipped). As soon as I put my grandson to bed I TRY to get some sleep (although that isnt happening lately either)

    Bottom line, I need some juicy comments to keep me updated on the delicious tidbits that happen in court. Naw…more like a full length report, crammed full of all the specifics. lol

    Please, if it isnt too much trouble, would you all pitch in and summarize the highlights of the day so I can keep up? I can read a little, I just cant handle too much time on here before Im exhausted.

    I certainly would appreciate any and all prayers for my health. My immune system is shot. Third virus in 2 1/2 months and it’s wearing me down. :(

  47. whodunit says:

    As I understand it, in Arizona, if the defense is claiming that ” reasonable person” standard should be adjusted-( in this case to reasonable person who had been abused) it is incum,bent upon the defense to prove that. So I can understand why martinez has put so much focus on this- he not only has to prove pre med, but also has to DIS prove defense’s claim of abuse. This may be why he has not presented a soley forensics oriented case- because he has to make sure no one buys abuse.
    In disproving the claim of abuse, it makes for a straight line to pre med.
    But I still want to know why abuse would negate the ability of Arias to have premeditated murdering Travis.
    I know Martinez cannot ask that as a direct question, because in doing so, he would acknowledge that abuse exists in the first place.
    Interestingly, in the high profile cases accesible on line where the battered woman defense succeeded , besides involving marriage, some corroboration of years of physical and psychological abuse,children, financial dependance and children, all the women were very forthcoming about committing the act. The wife of the pastor had a fuzzy memory, but no one claimed complete amnesia of any act that could compare to stabbing 29 times , slitting throat, cleaning up crime scene, getting in car and driving in a fog.
    I also would like to know, in ALV’s experience, what percentage of battered women felt they had only two choices- to leave or to kill? Maybe irrelevant, but my point is how does anything that Travis did PREVENT Arias from planning his murder?

  48. whodunit says:

    oops – what I MEANT say-
    How does anything that ALV is considering as abusive prevent Arias from planning to murder Travis.

    Alv would probably say that Arias was always hopeful things would be good between her and Travis, and so of course she didnt think of killing him.
    ALV emphasized this whole thing about ” learned hopefulness” that exists in battered women. But I maintain- and from experience- that this does not apply here , because she wasn’t tied to him through marriage or children to NEED for it to get better. ALV is applying a template that applies to a fundamentally different kind of relationship. A relationship acknowldged as only sexual.
    No offense intended in any way, but maybe part of the ” old fashion” attitude that ALV has claimed prevented her from asking more about anal sex, is also the old fashioned attitude that sex without emotional commitment is not possible.
    I don’t mean it as a slur. I am almost the same age as ALV and I grew up exposed to and dealing with the same cultural determinants that she was far as equality between the sexes. It was a BIG deal to de stigmatize sexual aggression on a woman’s part. She may still be fighting that battle, and one can infer that from her lectures available on youtube.
    Arias testified that she knew they were not getting married, and that she was seeing Ryan because she was interested in him romantically, in police interrogation she said she had moved on, etc. I think these statements contradict the kind of dependency that exists in abused woman’s lives. And actually that she was pursuing him with hopes of marriage, and that ALV considers that a valid hope in an of itself, so is therefore biased toward believing that how Arias felt.

    I think she never got over him, I think she lied about the marrying other people, and thought that it would work out.
    I don’t think I realized until yesterday that MacCartney was Juarez’s roomie. This girl is a barnacle, ftlog.

    Yes, to appear in DMS IV- “Barnacle” with her picture. Wow.

    Who is not evaluating how all these folks are like a freaking daisy chain?
    B

  49. whodunit says:

    have to ad one MORE thing- I wish there was a chance to edit before I submit- i keep goofing it up and not realizing typos and awkwardly written sentences before i send. I gotta work on that- thanks for patience!

  50. Twitch says:

    Ok.. (forgive me for the source) but I just saw a presentation on Dr Drew on the sequence theory of the shot/stabbing/slitting and I have to say I could buy into it..

    ~ JA was tormenting TA in the shower with the gun (pic of him looking at camera confused/defeated/fearful)
    ~ TA then cowers in a sitting or defensive position (last pic of him sitting in shower).
    ~ JA shoots him in the head while sitting in the shower (this would provide proper trajectory and would allow shot to rt side withprojectile lodging in left cheek).
    ~ Consider possibility the projectile didn’t pass through the brain (hence no bleeding in the brain – i need to look at autopsy report again)
    ~ Coincides with theories TA was shot would be first (Flores initial opinion)
    ~ TA manages to get himself to the sink and pulls himself up and proceeds to cough blood (does blood at sink coincide with caughing blood?)

    The rest is my theory:
    ~ Stabbing in back begins with TA at the sink
    ~ TA turns to defend himself..hence defensive wounds
    ~ TA is trying to get away down the hall
    ~ More stabbing as TA tries to get down hall
    ~JA gets in front of him stabs him in the chest and other frontal stab wounds
    ~ TA collapses at end of hall where JA then straddles his back, pulls his head back and slits throat
    ~ JA drags back to the bathroom places hand on wall at some point for leverage leaving palm print.
    ~ JA would have smeared blood on hall walls in dragging process by brushing against them as well as TA getting blood on walls while staggering down the hall trying to get away

    Ok…what did I get right and where did I fail?

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