Attorney: Jodi Arias defense has legitimate concern over Martinez’ celebrity
Mar 28, 2013, 4:10 PM
The defense team for Jodi Arias has a right to be concerned about the rock star-status of prosecutor Juan Martinez, a Valley attorney said.
“The defense attorney’s job is to do everything they can to get a mistrial or get a not guilty verdict or to get a lesser charge,” said Valley attorney Monica Lindstrom. “They saw something that concerned them and I’m not going to fault them for being concerned. That’s a legitimate concern that, if the jury had seen this going on, perhaps they would think differently about him.”
Fans were seen asking Martinez for autographs and pictures outside of the courthouse. He later said that he has only used the front door of the courthouse once and that is when the fans found him.
Despite Martinez’ signing the autograph, Lindstrom said he was not guilty of misconduct.
“I didn’t think this was misconduct at all because it’s not like he’s standing outside the courthouse flagging people down saying, ‘Hey, $5 and you can have my autograph,'” said Lindstrom, adding that, if he knew jurors were present, it would have been a different story.
Lindstrom said Martinez will not be removed from the case and the jury is unaware of the situation.
