Jodi Arias Death Penalty Trial Begins with Shocking Photo

ABC News(PHOENIX) — The death penalty phase of Jodi Arias’ murder trial started Tuesday with both sides promising it would be just as lurid and grisly as last year’s murder trial.

The prosecution began its case with a shocking photo. Prosecutor Juan Martinez showed a photo of Arias’ ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander’s throat slit within minutes of starting to make his case, saying, “This is how much she loved him.”

Arias’ defense attorney Kirk Nurmi argued that she shouldn’t be put to death because she has been diagnosed with both post traumatic stress disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, calling her a “troubled, mentally ill young woman.”

The Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona was filled with supporters on either side, including Alexander’s siblings on one side of the room and Arias’ parents and brother on the other.

Arias, now 34, was found guilty of murder last year, but the first jury was unable to agree on whether Arias should be condemned to death. The current jury of 12 women and six men — which includes six alternates — will be asked to decide whether Arias is executed.

“It is up to you to write the final chapter of this story,” said Nurmi, a state-appointed defense attorney who represented Arias throughout the nearly six-month trial last year.

Nurmi dedicated much of his nearly 45-minute opening statement issuing warnings to the jury, warning that there will be graphic evidence including autopsy photos, sexually explicit photos, and transcriptions of the X-rated text messages that Arias exchanged with Alexander in the months before his June 2008 murder.

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