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Jodi Arias retrial to be blocked from TV

Unlike the original trial in May, the new sentencing trial of Jodi Arias won't be broadcast on national television.

By Gabrielle Levy
Jodi Arias. UPI// Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic/Pool
1 of 3 | Jodi Arias. UPI// Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic/Pool | License Photo

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The Arizona judge overseeing the new sentencing trial of convicted murderer Jodi Arias has barred live television coverage from the courtroom, doing a complete about-face after allowing unfettered access during the original trial back in May.

Maricopa County Judge Sherry Stephens granted a request to block live coverage of the proceedings and only allow still images from the trial. She also banned all electronic devices, effectively shutting off the reporters' live tweeting that kept the public up to date with each sordid detail of the brutal slaying of Arias' ex-boyfriend.

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“The court expects there will be significantly less media coverage of the case during the retrial of the penalty phase,” Stephens wrote in a ruling published Friday.

Stephens has also denied a slew of other requests, including a motion to sequester the jury and to move the trial out of Maricopa County, where the defense said they believed Arias would not get a fair trial.

Arias also tried to part ways with her lead defense attorney, laying out for Stephens in a 12-page letter why she no longer wanted Kirk Nurmi to represent her. Stephens denied that request as well.

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Arias, 33, admitted to killing her ex, Travis Alexander, but called it self-defense. In May, a jury convicted her of first-degree murder, but became deadlocked in the sentencing phase, unable to decide whether to give Arias the death penalty. A new trial was ordered, with a new jury, for sentencing.

[KPHO]

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