An Arizona judge allowed convicted murderer Jodi Arias to represent herself on the second penalty phase of her murder case in September, Latin Post reported. Jurors will then decide whether Arias will be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
In May 2013, the court found the 34-year-old former California waitress guilty of a first-degree murder after killing her boyfriend Travis Alexander, whose body was seen slumped in the bathroom of his home in Phoenix Arizona back in June 2008. Medical reports show that the victim was stabbed multiple times, slit on the throat, and shot in the face.
While the murder conviction of Arias stands, the jury was not able to come up with a unanimous decision on whether she will be put to death or serve her entire life behind bars.
Citing reports from Huffington Post, prosecutors, in accordance to the law of Arizona, have the power to take Arias's case to a second penalty phase under a new jury in order to push for death penalty.
With the upcoming second penalty phase scheduled on the 8th of September, Arias asked Judge Sherry Stephen to allow her to represent herself and serve as her own defense attorney. Judge Stephens agreed to the plea of Arias, given that the hearing will not be delayed.
Despite granting the motion, Stephens deems that Aria's decision would not be beneficial to her saying, "I do not believe it is in your best interest. I strongly urge you to reconsider"
Lacking educational and legal background, Arias will face a new set of jurors to personally defend herself from a possible death sentence.
Arias, who has constantly been in conflict with her lawyers, will still receive legal support from defense attorneys Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Will as her advisory council.
Meanwhile, it appears that this is not the first time that Aria asked the court's permission to stand as her own defense attorney. According to reports from Detroit Free Press, Arias had previously asked the court to stand as her during her first trial, after her lawyers declined to entertain a motion she wished to argue in front of the jury.
Despite the court's decision allowing her to represent herself in the upcoming hearing, Arias can still be represented by a lawyer appointed by Judge Stephens in the event that she would require one. However, Stephens cleared that it will be irrevocable once Arias decides to finally be defended by an attorney.
