Jodi Arias no longer wants to defend self in death trial

PHOENIX — Jodi Arias won’t represent herself in the penalty phase of her murder trial after all.

She said she was going to represent herself in the case Aug. 4, but changed her mind Wednesday.

It's official: Jodi is not representing herself anymore.

— Jodi Arias Updates (@JodiAnnArias) September 10, 2014

Attorney Kirk Nurmi, who sought court permission to leave the case, will again represent Arias.

Arias, 34, was convicted of first-degree murder last year in the 2008 killing of Travis Alexander, but jurors couldn’t reach a decision on sentencing. Under Arizona law, while Arias’ murder conviction stands, prosecutors have the option of putting on a second penalty phase with a new jury in an effort to secure the death penalty. She could also be sentenced to life in prison.

Arias, who long clashed with her defense lawyers and tried to fire them previously, asked Judge Sherry Stephens last month to let her serve as her own lawyer during the second penalty phase. Stephens granted the request but said there would be no delays.

“I do not believe it is in your best interest … I strongly urge you to reconsider,” Stephens told Arias before granting the motion.

Her latest move may come as a shock to some. A few experts believed Arias stood a good chance representing herself, not because of her skill, but because it could spare her life.

“It’s actually probably a good idea to represent herself,” said San Francisco-area defense attorney Daniel Horowitz. “She looks like a vicious psychopath with a ridiculous defense.”

However, Horowitz noted, the jury “may find her pathetic.”

“If she can get just one juror to bond with her on some level, even if they hate her, they’re getting to know her, and it’s harder to kill someone you know,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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