Arias Admits Lovers Led Her To Try Different Religions In Testimony On Day 14 Of Murder Trial
Jodi Arias testified today on day 14 of her first-degree murder trial. On Tuesday, Arias, 32, shared her history of exploring several different religions every time she began a new relationship. Arias, who was raised a non-denominational Christian, became a Mormon after she met Travis Alexander and began dating him in 2006.
Arias stands accused of murdering Alexander, 30, in 2008. The devout Mormon had been shot in the face, stabbed 27 times and his throat was slit from ear to ear.
Against Mormon beliefs, Arias and Alexander had an on-and-off again sexual relationship. She confessed that prior to dating him she had previously explored several different religions including Buddhism, witch craft and Hinduism.
Arias discussed at length about a relationship with Matt McCarney who she said her time with was "the best of her life."
"When I first met (Matt McCartney) I was a little bit leery about things he was into. I saw some books on witchcraft and went, 'oh', but he explained to me that he was just seeking," Arias testified according to ABC News. She said that during the time they dated for two years, they lived together and their relationship "took a lot of spiritual turns."
"He was looking at other religions, he was studying Wicca, and I didn't practice it myself, but he had practiced it and had moved onto studying eastern mysticism and Buddhism.
"We sort of explored together, taking meditation seminars, new age type seminars, which sort of had roots in Hinduism or Buddhism, and were kind of like a modern version of transcendentalism," she added. "We would drive to Portland or the Bay Area often for them."
Arias testified for the first time on Monday, Feb. 4. She was asked if she killed Alexander and she replied: "Yes I did."
When asked why, she answered, "the simple reason is he attacked me and I defended myself."
She was asked about the comments and lies she made during her "Inside Edition" interview where she said "no jury would convict me." Arias said she made the statement because she was suicidal at the time.
"At the time, I had plans to commit suicide. So I was extremely confident that no jury would convict me because I didn't expect any of you to be here," Arias told jurors. "I planned to be dead. Those are probably the most bitter words I'll ever eat."
If Arias is convicted of murder she will likely face the death penalty, becoming the fourth woman in Arizona's history to die by lethal injection.
