At this morning’s hearing the judge set yet another date (August 26 at 8:30) for yet another status hearing. She did indicate that she wants the trial to begin in late September. We will have to wait (again) and see…
Here is a play by play of what happened in court today via Twitter:
From ‘@WildAboutTrial’:
-In the courtroom at the Jodi Arias trial. Many of the usual faces are here in the spectator section. Media is rather thin. I see Tara Kelley and some other jurors in the gallery. Nurmi and Willmott just went back into chambers. Jodi Arias is not in the courtroom yet. Juan is here…Det. Flores just arrived. Just to remind everyone, this will not be live streamed and most of the hearing will be held in chambers and sealed. Jodi just came in wearing her gray prison striped outfit with salmon socks. Jodi Arias was just escorted back by the well armed sheriff’s deputies. She is in chambers now. These guys are scary looking.
@Chriswnews: Never seen a Jodi Arias escort like this. Arias walked to chambers her shackles making a racket. Arrives in chains surrounded by what appears to be an MCSO SWAT team.
@WildAboutTrial: Willmott just bolted out of chambers and smiled at Flores and Juan, she is getting something from her desk and heading back in. No sign of Travis’ family, just supporters.
@chriswnews: Was told Travis Alexander aunt the only family member expected in the gallery. Sis Samantha to attend via phone. Family civil attorney here.
@WildAboutTrial: Looks like other attorneys here for other trials. Nurmi, Willmott and Jodi Arias are still back in chambers. Flores and Juan continue to semi-reclinate and laugh while they chat. The courtroom is full of chatter. Flores and Juan were just summoned back into chambers. Everyone is coming out of chambers. Jodi Arias has full umbrella bangs and makes a clanking noise as she walks. She went to her room.
@maryellenabc15: Jodi Arias is walked back through court to her holding cell…she is shackled, handcuffed and in jail stripes. Jail SWAT is guarding her.
@WildAboutTrial: The armed sheriff seems to be clearing Jodi Arias’ table. She is brought out now and is sitting down. There are 4 fully armed sheriff deputies here to keep an eye on Jodi Arias. These are some serious deputies. Wow. Jodi Arias is sitting with the DP mitigation specialist whispering. Sheriffs haven’t left her side. Jodi Arias did not seem to have a smile on her face, looked rather tired. Attorneys are back. Judges Stephens is present and addressing the court now. Court is deferring the ruling on the motion to delay the trial until July 18. The hearing is over.
@tarakelley320: Seeing Jodi in shackles was totally worth being at the courthouse today!!!
Both Tara Kelley and Marilou Allen said on the Dr. Drew show tonight that they will be in court for Thursday’s hearing. They both said they are ‘still invested’ and want to ‘see this through.’ Tara was an alternate but Marilou was in on the deliberations. Marilou said the jury went into deliberations (on the Murder 1 charge) without preconceived notions and debated the felony and the premeditation aspects of the case. She also mentioned the ‘sheer brutality of the murder, underscored by Dr. Horn’s testimony.’ When asked about the defense’s asking for a delay Tara said it was ‘ridiculous.’
Both women are still approached by friends and people in the community to talk about the case. They are slowly getting back to their lives.
The hearing this Thursday (8:30 AZ time) should address the delay request. It will not be live streamed but the pool and still cameras will be there.
According to ABC15.com’s Corey Rangel, the prosecution has filed a motion asking the judge to deny the motion for a delay filed by the defense. They defense had said they needed time to find other witnesses to stand up for Jodi (they have had 5 years) and that they had scheduling conflicts. Martinez responded: ““Neither reason warrants a continuance of the proceedings until the first part of next year.” For more here’s the link:
According to azcentral.com Jennifer Willmott, one of Arias’ defense attorneys has a conflict with the trial start date of July 18. This means it is likely the date will be pushed back. The Maricopa County Attorney, Bill Montgomery has stated: “Right now we are preparing for for trial…it would be irresponsible not to prepare, regardless of what final decisions are made.” Earlier Montgomery said that he would be willing to discuss options with the defense attorneys regarding resolving this case: “If they were to make an offer of resolution, I think I have an ethical responsibility to consider that.”
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