Jodi Arias, convicted of killing ex-boyfriend, escapes death penalty

PHOENIX, March 5 (UPI) -- Jodi Arias, convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend, escaped the death penalty on Thursday when a 12-person jury could not agree on a sentence, causing the judge to declare a mistrial.

For the second time, a jury could not agree whether Arias should receive the death penalty or life imprisonment. The judge will decide whether Arias will get a life sentence or if she could be eligible for parole after 25 years served.

Arias, 34, was convicted in the homicide of Travis Alexander, 30, in 2013, but has been in legal limbo since jurors in the initial trial were deadlocked in the penalty phase.

Alexander was found dead in the shower of his Mesa, Ariz., home. He had been shot in the head and had his throat slashed. Arias said she killed him in self-defense.

Amy R. Connolly contributed to this report.