Jodi Arias Trial Update: Prosecution presents testimony to prove Arias, who killed ex-boyfriend, is a pathological liar

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jodi Arias at her murder trial in Maricopa County Superior Court, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Phoenix, Ariz.

/ AP Photo/Matt York

(CBS) PHOENIX - The prosecution presented testimony Thursday aimed at proving Jodi Arias is a pathological liar who plotted the murder of her ex-boyfriend, 30-year-old Travis Alexander. Arias, now 32, is facing the death penalty for the brutal stabbing and shooting of the former motivational speaker and salesman in his Mesa, Ariz., home on June 4, 2008.

Arias was first arrested in her hometown of Yreka, in Siskiyou County, Calif., after Mesa police detectives discovered physical evidence that linked her to the crime. In court on Thursday, a former Siskiyou County sheriff's detective, Nathan Mendes, who assisted in the investigation, presented incriminating receipts. The numerous receipts were found at Arias's grandparents' home, where she was living at the time of the murder.

The prosecution showed that Arias rented a car in Redding, Calif., instead of her small town of Yreka, implying that she wouldn't be recognized there.

Numerous other credit card receipts that were presented provide a physical trail of Arias driving through Southern California and Nevada as she described to police, but no receipts reflect a presence in Arizona.

The prosecution is trying to establish that Arias plotted Alexander's murder after she learned he was taking another woman on a business trip to Cancun. After the murder, she visited a new love interest in Utah, who testified Arias was sexually aggressive with him less than 24 hours after Alexander's slaying.

That new love interest, Ryan Burns, also testified that Arias told him she got cuts on her hand from broken glass at her bartending job at "Margaritaville." She also told Burns she had to return to that job in Yreka after a 24 hour visit to Utah. But Thursday, the former Siskiyou detective said there is no such restaurant or bar in Yreka and there never had been. Arias worked at a local Mexican restaurant in Yreka called "Casa Ramos" in 2008.

Arias' defense team also filed a motion for a mistrial after contending that the state's theory on the order of how Alexander was killed has changed over time. The defense argued that the lead Mesa police detective, Esteban Flores, initially believed in 2008 that Alexander was shot first and then stabbed in the chest and across his neck, causing the fatal injury. But testimony during the trial by the medical examiner, Dr. Kevin Horn, and repeated by Flores, was reversed. They stated it to be stabbing and then the shooting.

The reversal shows a level of suffering for Alexander and could increase the severity of punishment for Arias who is facing the death penalty. Arias' attorneys have admitted she committed the crime in self-defense. They say she killed Alexander, a devout Mormon, because he was abusive, controlling and a sexual deviant in his relationship with Arias.

The judge denied the motion for a mistrial. Prosecution testimony continues on Monday.

Written by Cindy Cesare

Complete coverage of Jodi Arias on Crimesider

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by lokibear2 January 14, 2013 10:04 AM EST: sorry - way to much violence for self defense.; Reply to this comment


by saturn05 January 13, 2013 6:30 AM EST: I think she is guilty based on what I have heard, which isn't as complete as what the jury gets to hear.; Reply to this comment


by FormerUSMCSergeant January 13, 2013 12:11 AM EST: Megabitchasaurus.; Reply to this comment

by tinaw5218 January 12, 2013 10:44 AM EST

Wow! She even had the nerve to sign Travis's guestbook page for his obituary on June 14th!! OMG!!

http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/pe/guestbook-entry-print.aspx?n=travis-alexander&pid=111722519

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by Krissit3n January 12, 2013 4:59 PM EST: June 14, 2008
Travis, what can I say to you that I haven't already said? I am so grateful for the endless hours of conversation and amazing experiences we've shared. Thank you for having the courage to share the Gospel with me. You've had one of the greatest impacts on my life, and have forever altered it's course for the better. I love you, my friend, and always will.
~ Jodi Arias, Yreka, California

He had the greatest impact on your life....and yet he was abusive? Man what a liar.


by NYFunyun January 13, 2013 1:02 AM EST: Wow that's unreal


by Karkel January 12, 2013 9:37 AM EST: Maybe she will be lucky enough to get a jury as bright as the one Casey Anthony had.; Reply to this comment

by dendroica January 11, 2013 10:43 PM EST

I agree with the ones who suggest a professional jury. It is hard to say what they will do but the proof is there.
1. Stealing a gun 2 days prior, that is premeditated. 2. stabbing him in the back while he is doubled over the sink spitting blood and she stabbed him 9 times in the upper back. Then 2 additional times in the head. He fell on the floor from loosing blood from the chest wound and she continued to stab him while he is down on the floor. Then drags him back to the shower. ***. Dead weight is really heavy. Then she does two loads of laundry and stays in the house and calls self defense. Who on earth beleives this. Does she think we are that dumb. Look at the attorney trying to say she was facing him and stabbing him in the back. Really she is just getting desparate. If the jury does not find her guilty of FIRST DEGREE MURDER WITH PICS TO PROVE IT THEY SHOULD BE SHOT. I am with the other person and believe she had another person in there. She took a picture right after stabbing him in the chest and it appears he was able to kick the camera out of her hand thus a pic of the ceiling. She had to have help.
When she rented a car the guy said she had a guy with her. I really do not think she could of drug his dead body back to the shower and taken a picture at the same time. I am not one for death penalty but this biotch needs it. She should never be out. Talk about trust issues. This person really makes me think twice before I spend the night somewhere with a person.

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by NYFunyun January 13, 2013 1:23 AM EST: No she had no help, blood is very slick and she is supposedly very strong


by Hucabuck January 14, 2013 8:17 PM EST: I think its possible that the guy who was with her at the car rental continued on with her to the crime scene and did most of the killing himself.Then he took the gun and knife with him when he left the home.That is why she feels so sure that no jury will convict her of the crime because he killed him while she helped somewhat.She was there,but her male friend did the killing I believe.