The Jodi Arias trial was canceled for unexplained reasons Wednesday afternoon.
"An issue has arisen that will prevent us from going forward today, so I'm going to be dismissing you for the rest of the afternoon," Judge Sherry Stephens announced after the afternoon recess.
According to Headline News, court was cancelled because Arias was suffering from a migraine. If that is the case, this makes it the second instance court has been delayed due to Arias' head pains.
Arias, 32, is accused of the June 4, 2008, slaying of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, 30, inside his Mesa, Ariz., home. The prosecution contends Arias stabbed Alexander almost 30 times, shot him in the head and slashed his throat in a jealous rage. Arias told jurors she killed Alexander in self-defense amid his escalating sexual demands.
Prosecutors contend a jealous Arias killed Alexander because he was interested in other women.
Robust jousting Wednesday morning between defense attorney Jennifer Willmott and Dr. Janeen DeMarte, a psychologist retained by the prosecution, dominated the testimony.
Willmott repeatedly questioned DeMarte about her education and qualifications. When she made little headway in that area she focused on DeMarte's opinion that Arias was not a victim of domestic violence. That line of questioning prompted the following heated exchange:
"You don't consider yourself an expert in domestic violence, do you?" Willmott asked.
"I'm an expert as a clinical psychologist," DeMarte said.
"Well, clinical psychology is kind of a big general area, isn't it?" Willmott asked.
"Correct," DeMarte said.
"Okay, so you're an expert in clinical psychology?" asked Willmott.
"Yes," DeMarte replied.
"But you don't consider yourself an expert in domestic violence, do you?" Willmott asked again.
"I’ve had a lot of experience in domestic violence ... It depends on how you define expert," DeMarte said.
"Do you define yourself as an expert of domestic violence?" Willmott asked.
"I would not call myself an expert in domestic violence specifically ... I have a lot of experience with it but I wouldn't put that term on it because I think it's an important term -- very specific," DeMarte said.
In addition to today's cancellation, it was announced there will be no court on April 19. It was previously noted that court will not be held on April 22 or April 26. Its unclear how these changes will impact when the jury will finally get the case.
Last week prosecutor Juan Martinez said he expected his rebuttal to last about seven days. As a result of today's delay, that leaves about 5 and 1/2 more days of rebuttal to go, which will likely go well into next week.
The trial is scheduled to resume at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, when Willmott will continue her redirect of DeMarte.
Arias faces the death penalty if convicted.
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