PHOENIX – Jodi Arias will again face a potential death sentence after a judge's ruling cleared the way for a second penalty phase in the case.
Defense attorneys had argued that the Arizona law allowing a retrial of the penalty phase is unconstitutional.
In her ruling made public Friday, Judge Sherry Stephens denied the defense motion. Arias' retrial is set for March 17.
The 33-year-old Arias was convicted of murder last year, but the jury couldn't reach a verdict on her sentence.
Under Arizona law, while her murder conviction stands, prosecutors have the option of putting on a second penalty phase with a new jury. If they fail again to reach a unanimous decision, Arias would face life behind bars or be eligible for release after 25 years.
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