Jodi Arias’ lawyers get extra time to file appeal for murder conviction
May 19, 2018, 3:35 PM | Updated: 8:07 pm
(Tom Tingle /The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool,File)
(Tom Tingle /The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool,File)
PHOENIX (AP) — Jodi Arias’ lawyers say the upcoming appeal of her murder conviction in the 2008 killing of her ex-boyfriend should be kept secret because the trial records remain sealed and public interest in her case remains extremely high.
Those arguments are in a reply to prosecutors’ objections to Arias’ pending request for a court order to file her initial brief due June 6 under seal.
Prosecutors have argued there’s a legal presumption that appeals will be public and that Arias’ lawyers didn’t adequately explain why the appeal brief should be sealed.
Arias’ reply filed Wednesday cites previous court orders requiring that case records be kept from the public. The reply also cites an “absurd level of interest” in the case.
Earlier in the week, the Arizona Court of Appeals gave Jodi Arias’ lawyers more time to file the appeal of her murder conviction in the 2008 death of her former boyfriend.
The opening brief in Arias’ appeal was due Wednesday, but the court granted her request for a three-week extension to file the document.
Arias is serving a life sentence for her first-degree murder conviction in the death of Travis Alexander at his home in Mesa.
Prosecutors said Arias attacked Alexander after he wanted to end their affair and planned a trip to Mexico with another woman.
She acknowledged killing Alexander but claimed it was self-defense after he attacked her.
Arias has asked the court to bar the public from viewing her opening appellate brief.
Prosecutors oppose the request.
