Judge declares mistrial in Jodi Arias case after jury fails to agree on sentence
Jodi Arias has escaped the death penalty, for now.
A Maricopa County Court judge on Thursday declared a mistrial in the sentencing phase of her case after a jury failed to reach a unanimous agreement on whether Arias should be sentenced to death or life in jail.
Arias, 32, has been convicted of murdering her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in 2008.
After deliberating for 14 hours over three days, the jury told Judge Sherry Stephens they couldn't agree on the penalty.
A unanimous decision in capital cases is required under Arizona state law.
A second jury must now be selected to decide on th punishment. If the new jurors can't reach a decision, the judge will have to sentence Arias to prison, either for the rest of her life or with the possibility of release after 25 years.
Judge Stephens ordered a retrial for July 18.
Arias was found guilty earlier this month of murdering Alexander, whose body was found slumped in the shower of his Phoenix-area home five years ago. He had been stabbed multiple times, had his throat slashed and been shot in the face.
Investigators claim Arias planned the attack in a jealous rage after being rejected by the victim while he pursued other women.
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