Jodi Arias penalty phase delayed after testimony

photo Steven Alexander, brother of murder victim Travis Alexander, looks back towards Jodi Arias as he reads his "victim impact statement" to the jury on Thursday, May 16, 2013 during the penalty phase of the Jodi Arias trial at Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix. Jodi Arias was convicted of first-degree murder in the stabbing and shooting to death of Travis Alexander, 30, in his suburban Phoenix home in June 2008.

PHOENIX - Jurors deciding Jodi Arias' fate have been sent home after proceedings were inexplicably delayed.

The panel was brought to tears earlier Thursday as they heard statements from the victim's family members describing how their lives were ripped apart by the killing.

The same jury convicted Arias of first-degree murder last week. During the trial's ongoing final penalty phase, the panel will decide whether to sentence Arias to life in prison or death for the 2008 murder of her one-time lover.

Trial is set to resume Monday, when Arias is expected to address jurors.

The 32-year-old acknowledged killing Travis Alexander at his suburban Phoenix home in June 2008, but claimed it was self-defense. Authorities say it was a premeditated murder fueled by jealousy.

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