The prosecutor in Jodi Arias' murder trial, unable to shake a defense expert's contention that Arias was a victim of domestic violence, lashed out at the expert on Tuesday. Domestic violence expert Alyce LaViolette told veteran prosecutor Juan Martinez he needed to "take a time out."
Martinez has repeatedly challenged LaViolette's opinion that Arias, 32, was physically and emotionally abused by her former boyfriend, slaying victim Travis Alexander, 30. The prosecutor again challenged the expert on Tuesday, heatedly suggesting Arias would lie to protect herself.
"If you were in my group, I would ask you take a time out Mr. Martinez," LaViolette said.
Martinez did not respond, and asked the judge to admonish LaViolette.
"Yes, ladies and gentlemen please disregard the witnesses’ last statement," Judge Sherry Stephens told jurors.
It's the second time LaViolette has made a snarky comment to the prosecutor since she took the witness stand seven days ago. The first came Thursday, when LaViolette asked suddenly, "Mr. Martinez are you angry at me?" prompting laughter from the gallery.
LaViolette's finding that Arias was battered challenges the prosecution's contention that Arias premeditated Alexander's slaying. The defense contends Arias, afraid for her life, acted in self-defense and did not plan to shoot Alexander in the head, stab him almost 30 times and cut his throat from ear to ear in his Mesa, Ariz., home in 2008. For the prosecution, proving Arias' intent is key to sustaining the first-degree murder charge. Arias, jealous of Alexander's interest in other women, attacked him in the bathroom of his home after the couple spent the afternoon having sex, according to the prosecution.
The back and forth between Martinez and LaViolette continued to get heated when he quested her about Arias' journal entries.
In a September 2007 journal entry about a trip with Alexander to the Grand Canyon, Arias wrote that the two fought. She said Alexander was largely responsible and later apologized.
Martinez asked LaViolette if her professional opinion of Arias would change if there was evidence the story Arias wrote in her journal was a lie. Martinez referred to earlier testimony by Alexander’s friend, Dan Freeman, that the argument began when Arias got upset that Freeman had removed items from her hiking bag to make it lighter before they went on the trip. LaViolette said that would not necessarily change her mind.
"Aren't you providing an excuse and siding with the defense?" Martinez asked.
"No, I'm not saying that. ... What I am saying is I like to look at the big picture," LaViolette said.
The trial is scheduled to resume at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, when Martinez will continue his questioning of LaViolette.
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