With the cross-examination Thursday of LaViolette by prosecutor Juan Martinez resulting in visible friction between the two, it appeared that LaViolette retaking the stand Monday and being questioned again by Martinez would be anything but routine.
So when the trial resumed on Monday and LaViolette took the stand, an unexpected twist occurred as the prosecutor questioned her about a “manifesto” that has been reportedly written by the defendant, Jodi Arias, “in case she became famous.”
Prosecutor Juan Martinez continued his attempt to prove defendant Jodi Arias did not kill Travis Alexander in self defense as he questioned defense witness and psychotherapist Alyce LaViolette. During the questioning, Martinez made reference to a “manifesto” that Arias signed “in case she became famous,” although it has not been officially entered as evidence or has yet to be explained in court.
In order to find out more about the manifesto, The Huffington Post filed an official request with the prosecutor’s office for a copy; however, an official said it may take time before such a request could be approved.
Spokesman Jerry Cobb of Maricopa County Attorney’s Office told The Huffington Post that, “In light of the prosecutor’s ethical duties under ER 3.6, the State is seeking guidance from the Court on the nature and degree to which future public records requests could or should be fulfilled for the duration of the trial. Accordingly, the County Attorney’s Office will cease fulfilling public records requests for materials in this case until such determination is made. While County Attorney Bill Montgomery fully respects the fundamental rights of a free press in our community, he is equally compelled to ensure a fair trial for Ms. Arias and any other defendant in similar circumstances. We’ll follow up with you when we get a ruling and let you know what we’re able to release.”
As the questioning continued, Martinez began to focus on the ample amount of lies the defendant told the authorities not only days after the killing but even years after the fact. Martinez asked LaViolette, “She does have a history of lying, doesn’t she?”
Her response was, “After the killing, yes.” LaViolette acknowledged after continued prodding that she cannot say for certainty that Arias is being truthful now.
Martinez decided to accuse LaViolette of being biased, an accusation he previously made against psychologist Richard Samuels; a previous witness for the defense. Samuels testified that he diagnosed Arias with having post-traumatic stress disorder and amnesia while being accused of forming a relationship with her that biased his diagnosis. Samuels denied the accusations as being factual.
As Martinez questioned LaViolette, he made the same claim against her by asking, “In this case, you actually are biased in terms of the defendant, aren’t you?’ He noted how after LaViolette went through Arias’ private materials and journals during their first meeting, she apologized for doing that.
LaViolette’s reply was, “Do I believe the evidence supports domestic violence? Yes. I don’t believe I’m biased.” Martinez also questioned her on the techniques she used in order to diagnosis domestic violence. For example, it was curious how the defendant could have poor self-esteem but still think she is smart as Albert Einstein was.
He asked, “So the fact that the defendant was happy to have her IQ tested because she believed she’s on the level of Einstein, doesn’t indicate to you this individual does not suffer from a low self-esteem issue?”
LaViolette responded, “Most people who talk about how smart they are don’t feel that they are that smart…. So, there could be a number of reasons why she was excited about that. I don’t know, I wasn’t there.”
To this, Martinez asked, “The bottom line is you had it in your notes … and, you’re saying that, well, all these other people have these reasons why they want to know what their IQ is, you don’t know why that’s why the defendant wanted to know about her IQ right?”
LaViolette replied, “No, I don’t.”
Arias first denied any involvement in Alexander’s killing but later said she did it in self-defense. If convicted of first-degree murder, Arias could face the death penalty.
Jodi Arias Trial
Prosecutor cross examines psychotherapist.
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