On April 4, 2013, Alyce La Violette a psychotherapist and domestic violence expert hired by the defense team announced that Arias was physically and emotionally battered by Travis Alexander.
La Violette defended Arias by stating that she had simply acted in self defense the day of the killing. Arias had no intention of shooting Alexander in the head and stabbing him multiple times. While the case begins to be steered in one direction the prosecutors fought back by proving Aria’s jealousy for having interest in other women. Juan Martinez spent about half an hour questioning La Violette’s expertise and techniques that allow her to believe that Arias had suffered any sort of violence while being in a relationship with Alexander. La Violette’s presentation focused on showing Alexander as a womanizing cheater whom was courting multiple women. La Violette provided the court with a 16 page instant message in which Alexander threaten Arias and called her names and compared her to Adolph Hitler. Not only did La Violette provide this 16 page message, but gave a list of women whom Alexander had exchanged flirtatious communication while being in a relationship with Arias.
Arias is being charged with first degree murder and could face the death penalty if convicted. The effect on media can prevent from Arias having a fair trial. Juror Number Five also known as Meliha Omanovic was removed from the courtroom for allegedly making comments to other jurors. Omanovic stunned spectators in the courtroom by showing up on April 4th.
The trial is scheduled to resume today at 12:30pm Eastern time.
