Jodi Arias takes the stand in her murder trial - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/kpho/KPHO%20NEWS/Jodi%20Arias.jpg
UPDATE

Jodi Arias takes the stand in her murder trial

Posted: Updated:
Posted by Steve Stout - email
© CBS 5 © CBS 5

  • More news

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:54:16 GMT
    Desmonte Leonard the man accused of murdering three people in Auburn last summer will have a status hearing on October 15th. At the last meeting both parties had expressed intentions to meet in August
    Desmonte Leonard, the man accused of murdering three people in Auburn last summer still has no expectation on when he will go to trial.

  • The Senate is debating cuts to the federally subsidized crop insurance program as it considers a massive farm bill this week.
    The farm bill the Senate is considering this week would cut some farm subsidies but also expand government-subsidized crop insurance, a safety net used by many farmers in case of bad weather or lost revenue.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:17:00 GMT
    People affected by the massive tornado that killed at least 51 people and destroyed parts of Oklahoma still do not know where their loved ones are, but many of them are using social media to find out.
    People affected by the massive tornado that killed at least 51 people and destroyed parts of Oklahoma still do not know where their loved ones are, but many are using social media to find out.
    •   
PHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -

Jodi Arias has taken the stand for a second day in her murder trial.

Defense attorneys for the woman charged with killing her lover continued their case in a Phoenix courtroom Monday, and many people inside the courtroom were surprised when Arias herself took the stand.

Arias is accused of fatally shooting and stabbing Travis Alexander in June 2008 at his Mesa home.

[Watch live streaming video of the trial on cbs5az.com]

Arias spoke in a halting voice as she described how an idyllic childhood in California turned abusive when she was about 7 years old.

She also said she made false statements early in the investigation about not being at the scene of the crime because she planned to commit suicide and never have a trial.

The 32-year-old could become just the fourth woman on Arizona's death row if convicted.

Defense attorneys have been trying to portray the victim as a liar and cheat who repeatedly deceived his friends and family, claiming he was a devout Mormon saving himself for marriage when he was, in fact, sexually involved with numerous women, including Arias.

Prosecutors claim Arias killed Alexander in a jealous rage. She says it was self-defense.

Alexander was stabbed and slashed 27 times, shot in the forehead and had his throat slit.

Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

  • UPDATEJodi Arias takes the stand in her murder trial

  • Monday, May 20 2013 3:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:40:13 GMT
    Jodi Ann Arias stands accused of shooting, stabbing and slitting the throat of her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in June 2008.
    Jodi Ann Arias stands accused of shooting, stabbing and slitting the throat of her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in June 2008.