Jodi Arias Trial Nearing End as Final Witnesses Take the Stand - East Idaho News
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Jodi Arias Trial Nearing End as Final Witnesses Take the Stand

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021313 JodiArias?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1367415344262ABC News(PHOENIX) — After four months of detailed and sometimes graphic testimony, the final two witnesses are set to take the stand Wednesday for what could be the final day of testimony in the Jodi Arias murder trial.

Arias’ legal team is making a last ditch effort as the trial winds down to avoid conviction — or the death penalty — in the 2008 murder of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander.

Before closing arguments are set to begin Thursday, defense attorneys for Arias are expected to call Dr. Robert Geffner to the stand to rebut testimony from state expert Janeen DeMarte.  

DeMarte told the jury two weeks ago that Arias suffered from borderline personality disorder and rejected defense claims that she showed signs of being a victim of domestic abuse.  DeMarte also axed the defense’s claim that Arias suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.

Geffner is not the only expert witness the jury will hear from on Wednesday.  Prosecutor Juan Martinez has also given notice that he would like to call forensic psychologist Dr. Jill Hayes from Louisiana to rebut Geffner’s testimony.

Judge Sherry Stephens, who has presided over the marathon trial that began in January, said that Wednesday’s proceedings will go as long as it takes to get through the final witnesses.

Arias, 32, is charged with first degree murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.  She initially denied killing Alexander, 30, in June 2008 and blamed it on masked intruders who broke into his Mesa, Ariz., home.  Two years after her arrest, she claimed she killed Alexander in self-defense.

Alexander suffered nearly 30 knife wounds, was shot in the head and had his throat slit.  Arias said she recalls Alexander attacking her in a fury.  She said she ran into his closet to retrieve a gun he kept on a shelf and fired in self-defense but has no memory of stabbing him.

On Thursday, the judge will read jury instructions and then closing arguments are set to begin.  The jury could have the case by Friday afternoon.

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