Woman accused of killing boyfriend testifies
In surprise move, Jodi Arias takes stand in her murder trial
This is a rush transcript from "On the Record," February 4, 2013. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: A woman accused of shooting, stabbing, and slitting her ex-boyfriend's throat in the shower takes the witness stand. In open court Jodi Arias admitting to the savage murder. Here is some of what Arias told the jury.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you kill Travis Alexander on June 4th, 2008?
JODI ARIAS, ACCUSED OF MURDERING BOYFRIEND: Yes, I did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You gave an interview with "Inside Edition." Do you remember seeing that tape?
ARIAS: Yes, I do.
UNIDENTIFIED: And in that tape you said that no jury would convict you, something to that effect. Do you remember saying that?
ARIAS: Yes, I did say that. I made that statement in September of 2008. At the time I had planned on suicide, so I am extremely conflict because no jury would convict me and I told them no jury would convict me at that time. I thought I would have been thrown into a padded cell and stripped down and that would have been my life until I stabilized. So I was very confident that no jury would convict me because I planned to be dead. Those are probably the worst bitter words I'll eat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAN SUSTEREN: KSAZ anchor Troy Hayden was in the Arizona courtroom today. Troy, if I were her lawyer and I heard that, I'd think OK, now that you didn't commit suicide you do expect this jury to convict you. That is the flip side to it. I mean, I can't imagine -- maybe that was part of the strategy. How was it in the courtroom?
TROY HAYDEN, KSAZ ANCHOR: It was an odd day today, Greta. She was only asked two questions and two hours of testimony into the case, and you have both of answers. Did you kill Travis, and it why did you say no jury would convict you? It was get to know Jodi day, looked at her background. She had some borderline abuse with her parents. Her mom used to hit her and dad hit her with belt. But the prosecution has shown to be this murderous monster that I think the defense is saying, hey, look, Jodi Arias is a human being.
VAN SUSTEREN: But this woman has given three different stories now what happened from the time she was arrested. The judge once said to me when I had a tough client, I was trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. This is a very tough case for the defense. She admitted she murdered him. She is in a tough spot. She hasn't been cross-examined, has she?
HAYDEN: I tell you what the prosecutor in this case is Juan Martinez, they call him the pit bull. He has one speed. He goes for the throat. I don't think it will happen tomorrow or the day after, but there was some talk in the courtroom. Does he have to be careful if he goes too hard? Is he going to make her seem sympathetic? So I think the next few days of testimony should be very interesting in this case.
VAN SUSTEREN: She has admitted she did it. And the jury in order to find her not guilty has to think it's self-defense. Troy, thank you.
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