In lurid Ariz case, woman describes victim as liar

In lurid Ariz case, woman describes victim as liar

PHOENIX (AP) — Murder suspect Jodi Arias has testified at her own trial for several days but so far has not mentioned the killing of boyfriend Travis Alexander in 2008.

Experts say there is a good reason for that. Defense attorneys want to elicit sympathy from jurors in hopes they spare Arias a first-degree murder conviction that could lead to the death penalty.

At the same time, they are working to portray Alexander as a philanderer and hypocrite who in public led friends and family to believe he was a devout Mormon saving himself for marriage while simultaneously having sex with multiple women.

Veteran criminal defense lawyer Michael Cardoza says the defense is trying to make the jury feel sorry for Arias and disgusted by the victim’s antics.

The 32-year-old Arias claims Alexander battered her into submission, and finally, forced her to fight for her life in self-defense. Prosecutors say she killed Alexander in a jealous rage.

Testimony resumes Tuesday.