Stalking incident left out of Jodi Arias homicide trial

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PHOENIX, April 29 (UPI) -- Jurors in the Arizona murder trial of Jodi Arias, charged with killing her ex-boyfriend, never heard testimony related to a stalking incident, lawyers said.

Travis Alexander called Mesa, Ariz., police four months before his death to report the tires had been slashed on his vehicle. The police report noted "criminal damage" -- but Alexander never gave police any indication of who he thought was responsible, ABC News said Monday.

Alexander's ex-girlfriend, Arias, 32, is charged with stabbing Alexander 27 times and slashing his throat before shooting him in his Mesa home in 2008. She faces a possible death penalty if convicted.

Initially she denied killing Alexander, 30, but two years later changed her story claiming self-defense. Prosecution witness Dr. Janeer DeMarte testified Arias exhibited signs of borderline personality disorder.

The defense claims Alexander, a Mormon, was in an abusive sexual relationship with Arias in the months before he was slain and Arias suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder -- a diagnosis DeMarte rejected.

Another ex-girlfriend testified she'd never been abused by Alexander.

The tire slashing is significant because some witnesses have suggested Arias was stalking Alexander, though defense lawyers said Alexander willingly interacted with Arias.

Both sides have rested and closing arguments are expected next week.