Jodi Arias trial cost: Taxpayers could end up spending more than $1 million to defend Arias
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 03/19/2013
PHOENIX - Taxpayers could end up spending more than $1 million to defend Jodi Arias in her lengthy murder trial.
Cari Gerchick, Maricopa County Communications Director, told ABC15 the total amount spent on her defense team has been roughly $838,000 and continues to climb.
The cost only pertains to money spent on Arias’ attorneys and does not include jail or court costs.
Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Willmott are serving as Arias’ attorneys in the capital murder trial.
Nurmi has been involved with the case for several years. Willmott was assigned to the case in January 2012.
Arias faces the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in the June 2008 death of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home.
Authorities say she planned the attack in a jealous rage. Arias initially told authorities she had nothing to do with it, then blamed it on masked intruders. Two years after her arrest, she said it was self-defense.
Arias spent 18 days on the witness stand, followed by a psychologist called by her defense team.
Court is expected to resume Wednesday afternoon.
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PRINT- Your Region News
Click on the region names in the map below to see news from that region.
RIGHT NOW: Top Stories
-
Arias sentencing to move to January?
A judge on Thursday could determine whether or not a re-trial of the sentencing phase in the Jodi Arias case will be postponed until January 2014.
-
MCSO: Man shoots brother, kills self
Two men are dead after one brother shot the other and then himself Wednesday night.
-
Crews gain ground as Doce Fire burns
Officials said Wednesday they have been able to secure the west flank of the Doce Fire, but the wind-fueled blaze is still posing a containment problem.
-
Actor James Gandolfini dead at 51
James Gandolfini, known for his role as Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos," reportedly died from a possible heart attack while in Italy.
-
Minuteman leader accused of sex abuse
Phoenix police said Christopher Simcox, co-founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, has been accused of molesting three young girls.
-
FORECAST: Gusty winds near fire zone
Gusty winds not helping firefighters as they battle the Doce Fire near Prescott. Find out how long it will be before we see lighter winds. Plus, how hot we're staying as we head toward the first official day of Summer.
