Testimony is set to resume Thursday before Arizona jurors who are weighing whether 32-year-old Jodi Arias is guilty of first-degree murder in the brutal 2008 slaying of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.
On Wednesday, the defense team's domestic violence expert, psychotherapist Alyce LaViolette, endured a lengthy and scathing cross-examination by Maricopa County Prosecutor Juan Martinez.
LaViolette was backed into a corner by Martinez regarding her opinion that Arias' was a victim of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Alexander. Martinez charged that Arias was the aggressor in the relationship and at one point got the key defense witness to admit Alexander was afraid of Arias.
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"Isn't it true that Mr. Alexander was extremely afraid of the defendant, Jodi Arais, based on her stalking behavior?" Martinez asked LaViolette.
"He was afraid of her, yes," LaViolette replied.
"Because of her stalking behavior, correct?" asked Martinez.
"Correct," LaViolette said.
The acknowledgement of the alleged behavior by a key witness for the defense could be seen as a big win for the prosecution.
LaViolette has spent nine days on the witness stand detailing her opinion on the dynamic of Alexander and Arias' on-again-off-again relationship. She testified it was her opinion that Arias feared for her life when she shot him, stabbed him nearly 30 times, and cut his throat from ear to ear in his Mesa, Ariz., home on June 4, 2008.
Prosecutors say Arias killed Alexander in a jealous rage.
The defense team is expected to redirect LaViolette's testimony today. Afterward, the judge will ask the defense expert a number of questions the jury has submitted for her. The juror questions should give some insight into how significant they consider the expert's testimony.
Arias is charged with first-degree murder and faces the death penalty if convicted.
The trial is scheduled to resume at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time, when defense attorney Jennifer Willmott will redirect LaViolette's testimony.
Read below for minute-by-minute updates from court Thursday:
The Huffington Post is live blogging Thursday's testimony. Check back here for updates.
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