PHOENIX (AP) – Family members of the man who was killed by Jodi Arias were unrelenting in their criticism of the convicted murderer when given a chance to speak at her sentencing.
They described Arias as “evil” and an “unrepentant murderer” who told “atrocious lies” about Travis Alexander. As Arias was led out of the courtroom, one sibling yelled “burn in hell,” prompting her sister to try to quiet her down.
The emotional outbursts came as the judge sentenced Arias to life in prison, bringing an end to a nearly seven-year legal saga. It was the harshest penalty still available for Arias after two juries were deadlocked on whether to give her the death penalty.
“It is ordered that the defendant shall be incarcerated in the Department of Corrections for the rest of her natural life, no possibility of parole,” Stephens said.
Before the sentence was handed down, Arias gave a rambling statement in which she stood by her testimony and accused police and prosecutors of changing their story during the investigation. She said she was sorry for the pain she caused Alexander’s family and friends.