Jodi Ann Arias shot and stabbed her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander to death (Part II)

[Sneakers the Wonder Dog]

Summary of Defense Closing Arguments



Some motherfuckers don't like Kirk Nurmi. Guess what? Nine days out of ten I don't like Kirk Nurmi. I don't like Martinez. I don't like wearing a tie. I don't like how Wilmott's shampoo smells. You know what I do like? CASH. $250 an hour. I named my first sailboat Hung Jury and I'm calling the next one Mistrial once you fine folks do your job.

So don't be afraid! Don't hesitate to get creative in there when you deliberate. Let your freak flag fly! I'm talking about magical thinking. Ever heard of The Arizona Triangle? A zone between Tijauna, Albuquerque, and Salt Lake where batteries, phones, and gas stations go wild. Don't be afraid to be an individual and hang this jury. The truth is out there. And I mean OUT THERE.



Let me talk about the clowns on the other side of the courtroom. "Detective" Flores, and I use that term loosely. Has this guy retired from detective work? Jodi called HIM and left him a camera full of pictures in the washing machine. He thinks he cracked the case on his own. He's taken vacation the last 6 months to sit next to Napoleon with a blank look on his face. Flores, buddy, how many fingers am I holding up? Nope, one finger. Flores you had one important thing to remember, about what wound came first, and you mixed it up. You know why? Cause nobody knows, not even the doctor.

And The Prosecutor (pause for sarcastic applause). I've gone on Priceline and booked you for a week at Laviolette's anger management ranch. Softball, therapy, quiet time, it's gonna be great. Try not to throw any pens or cameras while you're there, ok? You'll come back a bigger man. One last FYI - a gas can is not a murder weapon. Unless you bore someone to death by talking about it every day.

And, I'm sure y'all know, you vibed it off my body language, I don't have much time for Jodi. We used to be friends, we were pretty tight, but then she fired me and replaced me with herself. Then she begged me to come back. Breakup - makeup. It's tough when your client has a higher IQ than you do and won't let you forget it. I felt shame, for real. Stressed out and losing weight.



To compensate I bought this massive fucking watch. Let me have a look at this fine timepiece and see what time it is - oh yeah, it's sex tape o'clock! We're gonna go with a greatest hits package here... I'll just let this play while I walk out of the courtroom... into the sunset...

I fucking love you!

But wasn't Donovan particularly ravishing today?

She's quite the specimen.

She looks more and more like spawn of Jabba the Hut every day.

I never pay her much attention. It isn't looks as much as she's a criminal herself. THAT is what the Arias family leans on and that speaks volumes to me about them!

She's in charge of pushing Grandma around. You have to wonder about her Mom trusting Grandma to somebody like Donavan. Wonder how much money she's stolen from Grandma's purse already?

Hope they have good fire insurance at home and at their business.

She said that she returned the gas can to the same Walmart on cross AND redirect. So if the jury gets the whole transcript they will see that in both instances she said that she returned it to the same Walmart.

I'm almost hoping they do ask for read back just we can watch Stabby's face when her lies are confirmed. Kind of want to see Nurmi and Willmott squirm as well. Is that wrong of me?

[Peace Corpse]

Great job by the Defense and the State. Reasonable doubt was established quite well and fully by Kurt Nurmi. Total premeditation, no? Possible premeditation maybe even partial.....( is there a sentence for partial premed) but more of a passion killing, yes. Had Travis agreed to take her to Cancun would any of us be discussing this now? Feelings don't matter only the evidence. I predict Life in Prison.

[Metis212]

you are right but why would nurmi lie about the gas can be returned? i am sure he knows her testimony and that it was a lie - i don't get it, he isn't dumb and still needs a career after this

Well, to be honest, I was surprised the prosecution didn't check nearby Walmarts. I return Walmart stuff to three different stores in my immediate vicinity. They let you return at any store. If the jurors know this about walmart and can accept that Jodi is an airhead, he can introduce a sliver of doubt for that one juror named Coconut.

[nicola]

I'd hate to be Jodi. Her life is a lie-fe of lies. Even her own mother never bothered to get up. Where was her family?

[Saffron]

It seems like she thought it was an endearing moment, like "oh that jodi! can't live with her can't live without her!" kind of thing. I thinks she was also probably just attempting to show off to the jury what a sweet and good humoured person she is to be able to have a little laugh at a comment like that.

I think you've described exactly what Jodi was thinking. I didn't watch much of Nurmi today, but I caught that part and thought it was just awkward. Jodi and her defense team are really unlikable people, so their attempts at humor or self-deprecation are cringeworthy.

Nurmi says "it's not about bad haircuts or the sexual orientation of the witnesses...." these are items from Twitter and FB land that the jury knows nothing about... People made fun of Nurmi's buzz-cut and mentioned the obvious (and not hidden) fact that Alyce is a lesbian. The jurors must have been scratching their heads about that...

Yeah, that was really strange. (And then Juan somehow knew that the haircut remark was referring to Nurmi.) Nurmi has seemed cynical about the jury avoiding all media, and he probably assumes they're all indulging in it outside the courtroom. He shouldn't have referred to anything like that during the trial, though.

[Ruthven]

Summary of Defense Closing Arguments

I 'd rep you but the site's so wonky and effy it won't let me.

[wasthinking]

Well, to be honest, I was surprised the prosecution didn't check nearby Walmarts. I return Walmart stuff to three different stores in my immediate vicinity. They let you return at any store. If the jurors know this about walmart and can accept that Jodi is an airhead, he can introduce a sliver of doubt for that one juror named Coconut.

JM didn't need to waste precious resources on checking for another Walmart, he did the smart thing and got her to claim she returned it to the same one.

[ShellJett]

The text Breaking to 23765 is by CBS5az.com. Says it is for breaking trial news. I sent the text and got a response saying 3 msg/week. You get the option to text Stop to end. It also says Message and data rates apply. There is a response available for Help. Return text says "You are a Breaking News Text VIP and more breaking news delivered on your phone shortly.I stopped because I did not want any bs alerts, especially if I am asleep. Damn phone wakes me up enough already.

[Harlette]

@metis - "Well, to be honest, I was surprised the prosecution didn't check nearby Walmarts. I return Walmart stuff to three different stores in my immediate vicinity. They let you return at any store. If the jurors know this about walmart and can accept that Jodi is an airhead, he can introduce a sliver of doubt for that one juror named Coconut. "

still can't quote - but the way i see it - jodi said she returned the gas can b4 she ever left the lot because her trunk was too small - and nurmi knows what she testified to - she was very specific - so to me it just makes nurmi as big a liar in the jury's mind as jodi is - which totally sinks the case and prolly screw him out of future work

[Saffron]

I don't want to re-post coconut's Summary of Defense Closing Arguments because this site is slow tonight, but I do want to say that, although the whole thing was great, the line, "And, I'm sure y'all know, you vibed it off my body language, I don't have much time for Jodi," is still making me laugh. I love the very-hip persona he gives Nurmi.

[Harlette]

@metis - and there were no near by wal marts - it was the only one in salinas at the time - wal mart was still coming to the west coast at that time - nurmi was throwing out pasadena (7 hrs away) or another one on the way to mesa/utah

[Peace Corpse]

NICOLA: I'd hate to be Jodi. Her life is a lie-fe of lies. Even her own mother never bothered to get up. Where was her family?


PEACE CORPSE: In the front row in the court room. Her family cares deeply. Unfortunately, they waited too long before they chose to accept the fact that their child had mental issues. This denial of reality within families is nothing new. " Don't Worry be Happy" is the scourge of humanity.

[I doubt it]

What a day! Nurmi saying he doesnt like Jodi is a defense strategy, nothing more. If you were able to see it replayed on split screen, Jodi started to smile before Nurmi got the full sentence out. With Jodi's abandonment issues being as severe as they are, the defense team probably prepared her for days. Otherwise we would see her eyes unlock and show her rage and panic.

That's something they say when the defendant is a bad guy, has a record or something. Not when they're saying she's a DV victim and had to kill him to save her own life.

Or maybe it was supposed to be a joke, that's why she was ready to laugh. The whole case is so bizarre, that's all I could think of while Nurmi was talking.

[coconut]

I love the very-hip persona he gives Nurmi.

Sister, please! Ain't no persona. Just a volcano of truth, flowing like hot molten lava. Judge Sherry can't hold me back.

I used to rhyme back in the day. This is me before law school. I was a little slimmer then, with a high top fade.

[Saffron]

That's something they say when the defendant is a bad guy, has a record or something. Not when they're saying she's a DV victim and had to kill him to save her own life.

Or maybe it was supposed to be a joke, that's why she was ready to laugh. The whole case is so bizarre, that's all I could think of while Nurmi was talking.

This is a really good point. Why would an attorney say that about a client who was forced to defend herself from a murderous attack, suffered PTSD, and was then falsely accused of premeditated murder? If Nurmi believes Jodi's story, he should (and would) have nothing but deep empathy for her, every day of the week.

[Metis212]

Harlette said:
still can't quote - but the way i see it - jodi said she returned the gas can b4 she ever left the lot because her trunk was too small - and nurmi knows what she testified to - she was very specific - so to me it just makes nurmi as big a liar in the jury's mind as jodi is - which totally sinks the case and prolly screw him out of future work

I know she was very specific, you know she was very specific, but all it takes is one juror. Sigh. Defense attorney's work in certain ways...their job is to daze and confuse, write motions for mistrials, prosecutorial misconduct, to make the states' witnesses look like low IQ baboons, to discredit expert witnesses and to introduce doubt in any way possible. His closing argument wasn't creative at all, he went with the safe defense argument 101 of "it doesn't make sense". If you notice (and I am sure you did) he didn't even worry about getting the details right. He will work again, trust me.

[Brillig]

Nurmi says "it's not about bad haircuts or the sexual orientation of the witnesses...." these are items from Twitter and FB land that the jury knows nothing about... People made fun of Nurmi's buzz-cut and mentioned the obvious (and not hidden) fact that Alyce is a lesbian. The jurors must have been scratching their heads about that...

I know, I found that very bizarre. Nurmi was answering criticisms we made here (and I would imagine other places as well), but that were never made in court. So weird. And there has been lots of haircut mocking of the defense.... Alyce and her short cut, Jenny and her bald spot, Jodi and her bangs, Jodi and her little girl pull backs, etc. But I doubt even the people doing the mocking would have decided the case based on bad haircuts or sexual orientation.

But wasn't Donovan particularly ravishing today?

I'm not sure Granny Arias knew quite what to make of Donovan, sitting there next to her. She seemed to give her some dubious looks.

I never pay her much attention. It isn't looks as much as she's a criminal herself. THAT is what the Arias family leans on and that speaks volumes to me about them!

Well, to be fair, I'm not sure how many options the Arias family has for support? They have Donovan, drunk/high Patti (who wears her hookerish, tattoo displaying outfits to court and always sounds drunk or high when she shows up on an HLN show), the loons at JAII, Donovan's gf, and...... that seems to be it. Jodi is not very popular or beloved, and seems to mostly attract major nutters as her fan base, so maybe the Arias family is just glad for any support they can get, no matter the source.

Well, to be honest, I was surprised the prosecution didn't check nearby Walmarts. I return Walmart stuff to three different stores in my immediate vicinity. They let you return at any store. If the jurors know this about walmart and can accept that Jodi is an airhead, he can introduce a sliver of doubt for that one juror named Coconut.

Jodi herself made it super crystal clear that she returned the gas can to the very same Salinas Walmart where she purchased it. I believe she even embellished with the detail about how she went to the Starbucks in the same parking lot for a Strawberry Frap, then went back inside Walmart and returned the gas can.

I would imagine that was why Juan asked her for details on cross... if she had said she wasn't sure which Walmart, I bet he would have checked more of them. But since Jodi insisted it was the same one (which was the only one in Salinas back then), he only bothered to get proof for the one.

Summary of Defense Closing Arguments

[coconut]

This is a really good point. Why would an attorney say that about a client who was forced to defend herself from a murderous attack, suffered PTSD, and was then falsely accused of premeditated murder? If Nurmi believes Jodi's story, he should (and would) have nothing but deep empathy for her, every day of the week.

When I review Nurmi's closing argument he consistently referenced the juror questions. I believe the defense closing was structured around those questions and whatever weaknesses they could find in them.

There was a reason he said he didn't like Jodi, I'm not sure what it was, but I think he might have been trying to identify with the jurors based on their questions. Who knows what effect it could have on them. His team has been watching the jurors very closely.

[Jadedmile]

I just love how Stabby sits there and picks at the nonexistent fucking lint or what the fuck ever she's picking off the table! Bitch!

[Saffron]

Sister, please! Ain't no persona. Just a volcano of truth, flowing like hot molten lava. Judge Sherry can't hold me back.

I used to rhyme back in the day. This is me before law school. I was a little slimmer then, with a high top fade.

You know, I cover my ears at your criticisms of Juan, trying not to let any of it in... and then you do things like this and all is well again. I'm torn. (You're so funny I still laugh when I think of something you've said, even weeks ago.)

When I review Nurmi's closing argument he consistently referenced the juror questions. I believe the defense closing was structured around those questions and whatever weaknesses they could find in them.

There was a reason he said he didn't like Jodi, I'm not sure what it was, but I think he might have been trying to identify with the jurors based on their questions. Who knows what effect it could have on them. His team has been watching the jurors very closely.

These are good points. Unfortunately, Nurmi probably knows what he's doing.

[Peace Corpse]

This is a really good point. Why would an attorney say that about a client who was forced to defend herself from a murderous attack, suffered PTSD, and was then falsely accused of premeditated murder? If Nurmi believes Jodi's story, he should (and would) have nothing but deep empathy for her, every day of the week.

The Defense Attorneys who defend any ADMITTED murderess or murderer are not concerned about feelings. Feelings don't matter. Only the evidence according to the the law does. Nurmi's comment about not liking Jodi was a strategy move, nothing more.

[Peace Corpse]

When I review Nurmi's closing argument he consistently referenced the juror questions. I believe the defense closing was structured around those questions and whatever weaknesses they could find in them.

There was a reason he said he didn't like Jodi, I'm not sure what it was, but I think he might have been trying to identify with the jurors based on their questions. Who knows what effect it could have on them. His team has been watching the jurors very closely.

Nurmi made the Jodi dislike comment just to make sure he covered any juror that might have broken the rules and succumbed to obvious biased media or gossip influence . Remember, no jury sequestration here. Can ALL be trusted to obey. I don't think so....

[Peace Corpse]

Just to clear up the facts for all of us. Weren't the gas cans bought after Jodi left Mesa and not before? Sorry for multiple posts.

[blighted star]

"Each man's death diminishes me"


Am I reading this all wrong? It was really the prosecution that used this poem? When they're arguing FOR the death penalty? Isn't it a little
risky to get jurors thinking that way if you want a death verdict? Or have I got it completely arse-about & it was the defense that used it ?- that would make more sense. Sorry if you've already discussed it guys. I keep getting stuck on pages for HOURS today - as do we all I expect. If you have, just ignore & I'll catch up on the original discussion soon I hope...

[nicola]

haha love the BOOM