The trial of Jodi Arias

June 4, 2008

A bloodied body is found in the shower. A man of 30 had been stabbed 27 times, shot in the head and had his throat slit to near decapitation. 

I've become quite enthralled with this case and have followed the trial since the beginning. (It's being  streamed live). As of this post it's still going. I've written a poem from her perspective, but first a brief background from Wikipedia:


'The killing of Travis Alexander occurred on June 4, 2008. Alexander's body was found at his home in Mesa, Arizona; his wounds consisted of 29 stab wounds, a slit throat, and a shot to the head; the death was ruled by the medical examiner to be a homicide.

A criminal trial began on January 2, 2013, for Alexander's ex-girlfriend, Jodi Arias, who was charged with his murder. Arias pled not guilty and testified on February 6, 2013, that she killed Alexander in self-defense. The case has received widespread media attention.'  (end).

Part of the reason why it's so interesting is how articulate Arias is. She's also a compulsive liar, which has been evident all throughout the trial. First of all she said she was never at his house. Then she came up with a story that two intruders killed him and she miraculously escaped. After two years she changed her story yet again to that of self-defense, claiming battered wife syndrome. In court, she dropped a bombshell by claiming that she walked in on Travis masturbating to a picture of a boy.  Her poor family have had to endure a second assassination, this time of his character. There has never been a shred of evidence to back up any claims of abuse or otherwise. Travis was a Mormon yet the trial has been saturated with stories of their sex life, including a one hour phone sex recording.


The prosecution is trying to prove premeditation, as Travis was moving away from Jodi and I believe that she did indeed plan it. There's much more to it of course. This is a death penalty case. I don't believe in the death penalty but I do believe that she should never be allowed out. She is a psychopath and wouldn't be surprised if she did something similar again.

(L Prosecutor Martinez) Arias was on the stand for an amazing 19 days, mainly talking about herself. States she 'cannot' remember killing him but claims he attacked her first.

Self-belief sister

I’m an artist

And a photographer

In the light

On the crest of a golden wave

In echelon fields

Where the chosen ones dominate.

I’ve lived for a thousand lifetimes

And probably a thousand more

And even if I didn’t

There’s been none like me

For generations.

I’m a survivor

I’m a winning streak

Golden Ticket

That should be respected

More than I am

Who is taking charge

Of her destiny.

I take no prisoners

And give no latitude

As idiocy has threatened me

Too often

Like a scolding bubbly soap

Of bullshit

I can no longer swallow

If they cross me

They will know it

Not the sting of a mosquito

But the death grip of the python.

I’m being dramatic

But I’ve always been special

I don’t care that it sounds conceited

Because I’m simply not ‘some people.’

Respect will be given

And I’ll start with him.

Misconstrued, misunderstood, mishap

Mortal mistake

Motherfucker

The line is dug.

 

(Written during the trial of Jodi Arias).

If you're interested to know more, chase down a 48 Hours episode called Picture Perfect. A good starting point.
No doubt, a movie will be in the cards.

My Books

Coming soon,
A new video poem Alienation Prevails. (perhaps suitable following this post).



POSTSCRIPT
2018

I was so caught up in this trial that I sent a card to the Alexander family. We should always think of the victim first. Family second. Perpetrator last. I received a reply. It was very nice.

Great to see Arias where she belongs and where she will spend the rest of her life. She epitomizes the word 'evil' with no remorse and disgusting conduct throughout all of the proceedings that followed this awful event.

RIP Travis.