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(USGovernment-News.Com, June 10, 2013 ) Oklahoma City, OK -- Jodie Aris' attorney has reportedly attempted a motion for mistrial, prosecutorial misconduct, high-court appeals, and has even has even attempt to quit the case as a whole.
After losing each and every time inside the courtroom, this week they took the case out to the people as prosecutors consider to attempt to seek the death penalty for the now accused woman.
"It is solely for them to determine if continuing to pursue a death sentence upon Ms. Arias, who is already facing a mandatory life sentence, is a good and proper use of taxpayer resources," defense attorneys Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Willmott wrote in a statement provided only to The Arizona Republic.
A spokesman for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Jerry Cobb, was unavailable to comment on Wednesday regarding the defense lawyers' statement.
Meanwhile, Michael Cardoza, a defense lawyer in the San Francisco area, stated that the move by the attorneys to gain public support is purely a strategic move. He noted, "They're definitely doing the right thing by pandering to the public and calling a new trial a waste of resources," Cardoza said. "They're hoping someone will lean on the prosecutor's office. And unfortunately today, many DA's (district attorneys) are very much affected by public opinion."
Neither Nurmi or Willmott were available for comment after the Associated Press attempted to reach them.
The jury's verdict was handed down in early May, and a first-degree murder conviction was gained. Two weeks later, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding the sentencing holding a prison sentences alone, or the death penalty to boot.
Currently, under Arizona law, if the prosecutors insist on the death penalty then a secondary panel must hear arguments, as well as testimony. Such a process is sure to take months given the size and scope of the case. It also means hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent.
An even larger problem is finding individuals who can stay impartial, given how widespread the coverage was for the case, as a media storm brewed from its gruesome nature. Still, Montgomery stated he is open to the input from both defense lawyers and the victim's family regarding a possible scrapping of a trial. He noted that he had an “ethical obligation to consider all potential deals.
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