Potential jurors questioned in Jodi Arias trial

By Carol Gantt

updated 12:21 PM EST, Wed January 02, 2013

NEED TO KNOW

Jodi Arias is accused of killing her ex-boyfriend in Arizona
Opening statements scheduled to begin January 2

Jodi Arias is accused of killing her ex-boyfriend in Arizona.

The process of selecting potential jurors continued Monday in the Jodi Arias murder trial.

Dozens of people were questioned individually by both the prosecution and defense on their stance on the death penalty, religion and their attitudes towards law enforcement.

One lady, who was questioned by prosecutor Juan Martinez, said voting for the death penalty “would be difficult for me to do.” Another said “she thinks she can vote for death once she has all the facts.”

Defense attorney Kirk Nurmi was allowed to ask if the jurors could consider other sentences besides death. All but one person said they could give life in prison some thought.

However, a few people, when questioned by defense attorney Jennifer Willmott, said there are some crimes that deserve the death penalty, such as the killing of a police officer, the rape and killing of a woman and murder-for-hire cases.

One lady, who said she once had an abusive boyfriend, assured the prosecution her views would not affect how she would view any evidence that would be presented during trial.

Arias is accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander in the face, stabbing him 29 times and slitting his throat from ear to ear. At trial, Arias’ attorneys will argue she killed Alexander in self-defense.

In June 2008, Alexander's roommates found his mutilated body in his shower at his Mesa, Arizona, home. Prosecutors say Arias killed Alexander after he decided to break off their sexual relationship.

Authorities say Arias has given several stories about Alexander's death. Initially, Arias told police she wasn't with him when he was killed. Then, she said two intruders killed Alexander.

Now, Arias is saying she killed Alexander in self-defense because he got violent with her. If convicted, Arias faces the death penalty.

Jury selection continues Tuesday. Opening statements in Arias’ trial are scheduled to begin January 2.

In Session’s live coverage of the Jodi Arias trial begins January 7 on truTV from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET.

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