The jury tasked with deciding the fate of convicted murderer Jodi Arias has been unable to reach a unanimous decision.
Under Arizona state law, if the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, a mistrial would be declared. The judge read a note from the foreperson of the jury: "In my assessment, we are hung, and additional time will not change this." The judge will now decide whether Arias should get a life sentence or should have the possibility of release after 25 years. A formal sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 13th.
In May 2013, Arias, 34, was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing Alexander at his Phoenix-area home. However, although the jury in that trial determined Alexander was murdered in an especially cruel manner - he was found slumped in his shower with nearly 30 stab wounds, was shot in the face, and had his throat slit - they could not reach a unanimous decision on Arias's punishment. A second jury was impaneled in October 2014 to decide if Arias should face the death penalty.
The 12-member jury was handed the case last Wednesday, February 25th, and deliberated Thursday, took Friday off, and returned Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
You can click on 'Along Came Jodi' to watch Dateline's most recent report on the case.
