Jodi Arias sentencing retrial opens in Arizona as jury seated, opening statements begin

Jodi Arias sits in the Maricopa County Superior Court room of Judge Sherry Stephens in Phoenix, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, as the opening statements in her penalty phase retrial begins. The 34-year-old Arias was convicted of murder last year, but the first jury was deadlocked on whether to give her the death penalty or life in prison. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Tom Tingle, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens reads instructions to the jury in Phoenix, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, as the penalty phase of the Jodi Arias retrial begins. Arias was found guilty of first degree murder in the death of former boyfriend Travis Alexander, but the jury deadlocked on whether to give her the death penalty or life in prison. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Tom Tingle, Pool) (The Associated Press)

The Jodi Arias sentencing retrial has started in Arizona with a new jury and opening statements by lawyers to decide whether the convicted murderer should live or die after killing her boyfriend.

The jury was sworn in Tuesday.

Defense lawyer Kirk Nurmi then began opening statements, telling jurors it was up to them to write the final chapter to the story. He warned the jury that it will see graphic evidence about the killing and relationship between Arias and victim Travis Alexander.

The 34-year-old Arias was convicted of murder last year, but the first jury was deadlocked on whether to give her the death penalty or life in prison.

That required a new jury and trial to decide her punishment.