The sentencing judge for Jodi Arias locked her up for life today and threw away the key, sending the convicted killer back to jail, without the possibility of parole.
Maricopa County Superior Court judge Sherry Stephens had to choose between giving Arias life in prison or life with the possibility of parole after 25 years, but that didn’t seem to pose Stephens with any difficulties.
Prior to this final proceeding, in an effort to obtain the shorter prison term, Arias had personally begged the court to consider her current state of shame. And even today, her defense lawyer, Jennifer Willmott, claimed her client was sufficiently remorseful to warrant release at some future date.
"Ms. Arias is not a monster," attorney Willmott urged the Court. "For two minutes in her life she did something reprehensible [and] she is disgusted by what she did."
But, in the end, Judge Stephens showed the defendant no leniency whatsoever, saying Arias' crime was “especially cruel” and clearly premeditated.
Moreover, "the defendant did not render aid to the victim,” a stern-faced Stephens pointed out, adding that Arias instead “destroyed evidence at the crime scene” and “went to great lengths to conceal her involvement."
"The Court therefore finds the mitigation presented is not sufficiently substantial to call for leniency, and that a natural life sentence is appropriate."
Lifer Jodi Arias has twice escaped a far worse legal destiny though, in the process hanging two separate sentencing juries -- the majority of those jurors eager to see her executed.
Of course, life behind bars without any chance of being freed can probably feel worse than an actual death sentence might, especially when one is only 34-years-old.
Still, that’s more mercy than Arias showed Travis Alexander in 2008. Isn’t it?
