Jodi Arias Death Penalty Trial: Victim Hid Sexual Relationship, Sent X-Rated Photos
Feb. 1 2013, Published 5:54 p.m. ET
Trying to help their client avoid the death penalty, Jodi Arias’ lawyers painted Travis Alexander as a liar who violated the rules of his religion and sent X-rated photographs of himself to her as the trial ended its fifth week of testimony on Thursday.
Alexander hid his sexual relationship with Arias from friends but at the same time sent photographs of his genitals to Arias, even though he was an elder in the Mormon church, jurors were told.
Daniel Freeman, a friend to both Arias and Alexander, testified Thursday and said Alexander kept Arias away from his Mormon friends. He also testified he did not know that they had a sexual relationship while he lived with Alexander in 2007.
In fact, Alexander used Freeman as a type of shield, with Freeman telling the court: "I don't know that I can say he didn't want to be alone with her, but he liked that when I was there, and my sister was there. They weren't as physical." Freeman took two trips with Alexander and Arias.
The defense lawyers are hoping to portray Alexander as controlling and a sexual deviant, who lied and hid his sexual relationship. They will try to convince jurors that Arias killed him in self-defense.
Freeman testified that Alexander was considered a church elder. His sexual relationship with Arias could have led to excommunication if discovered.
One intriguing part of Thursday’s testimony was Freeman revealing he called Arias to tell her Alexander was dead. He was asked by prosecutor Juan Martinez if Arias admitted she killed him and Freeman said she did not.