2 jurors abruptly excused from Jodi Arias penalty retrial as defense rests
Feb 23, 2015, 2:56 PM | Updated: 3:44 pm
PHOENIX — Two jurors were released from the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial Monday just as the court proceedings were drawing to an end.
Two jurors have been excused. Recess in trial until 1:30 pm. #jodiarias
— MC Superior Court (@courtpio) February 23, 2015
That shouldn’t have any bearing on keeping the retrial on track.
14 jurors left #jodiarias since two were excused (#5 and #12)
— Monica Lindstrom (@monicalindstrom) February 23, 2015
Court reporter Mike just yelled at the lawyers he can only type 1 person talking at a time…it looks heated up there! #jodiarias #3tvarias
— Jen's Trial Diaries (@TrialDiariesJ) February 23, 2015
Judge comes in and says “now let's take up the juror matter in chambers” #JodiArias
— Monica Lindstrom (@monicalindstrom) February 23, 2015
Other tweets described the released pair as an woman in her late 40s, who left crying, and an older white male.
After the jurors were dismissed, the defense rested. Arias told Judge Sherry Stephens she wanted to make another plea for her life, but would only do so behind closed doors.
#JodiArias says she will only allocate if we are removed from the courtroom and done in private
— Monica Lindstrom (@monicalindstrom) February 23, 2015
It’s not the first time
juror issues have developed at the retrial. A juror was excused in December.