Legally Speaking: Decision day for Jodi Arias has arrived

On Monday, April 13 KTAR News 92.3 will air a special two-hour edition of “Legally Speaking: The Jodi Arias Trial” from 7-9 p.m. with Monica Lindstrom, Mike Russell and Martha Maurer.

We can finally close the chapter, though not the book, on the Jodi Arias trial…or can we?

Monday morning is supposed to be D-day for Arias. It’s the date scheduled for her to be sentenced by Judge Sherry Stephens.

When the second jury failed to reach a unanimous decision on life or death, the decision of Arias’ future fell squarely in the lap of Judge Stephens. When the non-verdict was read on March 5, it appeared Judge Stephens was prepared to sentence Arias on the spot for the brutal and horrific murder of Travis Alexander but the defense requested a date at least 30 days out.

What will happen on Monday? I can’t tell you what exactly will happen but I can tell you what is expected to happen.

As you probably know by now, this trial has always been unpredictable and I don’t see the pattern changing.

It’s expected Judge Stephens will call the matter at about 8:30 a.m. and the entire thing will start with a sizzlebar (which is what I have been affectionately calling the many sidebars with the white noise).

Then we should hear from the prosecutor, Juan Martinez, who will give Judge Stephens the many reasons why Arias should receive natural life with no chance of ever being released from the Arizona State Prison System.

I find it highly likely we will hear from Travis Alexander’s family. Both juries and Judge Stephens heard the anguished, angry and sad words from Alexander’s brother Stephen and sister Tanisha, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we hear their moving words again. I don’t anticipate any other witnesses for the state to speak in court.

The biggest mystery is what will the defense, led by Kirk Nurmi, present to Judge Stephens in order to secure the possibility of parole.

I know Nurmi will speak, perhaps even his co-counsel Jennifer Willmott. After that, your guess is as good as mine.

In the penalty trials it was only the attorneys and Arias herself that spoke (Arias addressed the original jury but not the second one.) It was reported Arias’ mother wanted to speak but she was not allowed so we might see her or another family member speak on behalf of the convicted murderer. Arias herself may choose to speak her peace to Judge Stephens, although I wonder what she could actually say that she hasn’t said before.

At the end of the day it’s anticipated Judge Stephens will sentence Arias (there is a possibility it takes more than one day).

I predict Arias will be sentenced to natural life in prison.

I will be in the courtroom and will tweet the decision out when Judge Stephens hands it down.

You can follow KTAR at @KTAR923, me at @MonicaLindstrom or on Facebook at MKLindstromLaw.

Please join us for a special edition of #LegallySpeaking at 7 p.m. on KTAR News 92.3 when Michael Russell, Martha Maurer and I review the Arias trial from the beginning to the end with clips from the trial and all the incredible issues and legal wrangling that occurred.