Convicted killer Jodi Arias won't be the center of attention again in the sentencing phase of her trial.
Arias was convicted of the 2008 killing of ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander in last year's nationally televised trial, but the jury couldn't come to a conclusion on whether to sentence Arias to death. A new jury will be convened for a redo of the sentencing phase.
However, the trial won't become a spectacle again as a judge has banned TV coverage until after the verdict, and now the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says Arias won't be granted any interviews with the media.
See also: -Psycho Killer: Jodi Arias' Kinky Death-Penalty Trial
MCSO spokeswoman Lisa Allen tells New Times this ban has actually been in effect since Arias was convicted earlier this year.
"The Sheriff's ban has been since her conviction in May," Allen says. "He is continuing it [through] this phase of trial."
Sheriff Joe Arpaio's reasoning is explained in an MCSO press release: "She probably has been the highest profile inmate ever in this jail system. But she's had her 15 minutes of fame and any further attempts to convey her thoughts through interview with the media will not be permitted while the penalty phase is ongoing."
Whether the jury sentences Arias to death or not, she'll be transferred to the state prison system once she receives her sentence, so the MCSO ban won't matter for too much longer.
Meanwhile, on the video ban, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens is only allowing the broadcast of video footage after this sentencing phase is over, and no official reason was given -- although you can imagine it has something to do with the fact that the trial was a national spectacle. However, a video ban isn't normal (and the Arizona Republic's Laurie Roberts, can tell you why it's a bad idea).
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