Lawyers to begin making case to spare Arias’ life

Lawyers for Jodi Arias will begin making their case Thursday that the convicted murderer should be spared the death penalty for the brutal 2008 killing of her former boyfriend.

Prosecutors spent about a week portraying Arias as a callous killer who attacked former boyfriend Travis Alexander in a jealous rage after the victim wanted to end their affair and planned a trip to Mexico with another woman.

Arias, who grew up in Salinas, has acknowledged killing Alexander but claimed it was self-defense after he attacked her.

Last year, a jury convicted Arias of murder but deadlocked on whether she should be sentenced to life in prison or death.

A new jury was picked for the purpose of determining her sentence.

The sentencing retrial is expected to last until mid-December.