PHOENIX – Jodi Arias is asking for a delay in the penalty phase retrial of her murder case while a judge considers whether to allow one of her attorneys to quit the proceedings.
Arias was convicted last year in the 2008 murder of her ex-boyfriend, but the jury deadlocked on a sentence. She said the killing was done in self-defense. Prosecutors argued it was carried out in a jealous rage.
A second penalty phase is set for Sept. 8 when jurors will decide whether she lives or dies for the crime.
Lawyer Kirk Nurmi has asked to leave the case. The judge has granted Arias' motion to serve as her own attorney, but Arias now says she will allow one of her two advisory lawyers to represent her if Nurmi is permitted to bow out.
There was no immediate ruling Wednesday.
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