Jodi Arias Foreman Speaks Out: '18 Days' Testifying 'Hurt Her'
The jury foreman at the center of the Jodi Arias trial spoke out today about the infamous trial and the jury's deadlocked decision. William Zervakos said that Arias was "not a good witness" and actually did herself a disservice by testifying.
"I think 18 days hurt her. I think she was not a good witness. We're charged with going in and presuming innocence, right? But she was on the stand for so long, there were so many contradicting stories," Zervakos told "Good Morning America."
Arias famously took the stand in her own defense, but no one expected her to testify for 18 days. During that time, she admitted to shooting Travis Alexander but said she did not remember stabbing him or slitting his throat. Arias also admitted that she lied to police and others during the investigation. She also claimed to have been abused by Alexander, which Zervakos said he believed.
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"Is that an excuse? Of course not. Does it factor in the decision that we make? It has to," Zervakos explained.
The jury was deadlocked 8-4 in favor of the death penalty, but could not come to a unanimous decision, which was required by the court system. Judge Sherry Stephens formally announced a mistrial after jurors deliberated for 13 hours and could not reach a decision.
A new jury will be convened to re-try Arias for sentencing only. Her first-degree murder conviction will stand and not be changed. The prosecution and defense teams will have to present their evidence and witnesses. They will also seek a jury that will not be opposed to enforcing the death penalty if that is the consensus.
Stephens set the next court date for June 20, a time when the prosecution and defense will come together to check in and see how they want to proceed with the case. The trial is tentatively scheduled to being on July 18, if all goes according to schedule. In the meantime, Arias will remain in prison.
