The Public Spectacle

Travis Alexander was found in a most horrific state, when he was discovered in his home on June 9th, 2008. He was stabbed many times, had his throat slit ear to ear, and a fatal gun shot wound to the head. Most of the evidence pointed at his ex-girlfriend Jodi Arias. She was indicted, and soon she went to trial for first degree murder. Unlike other cases, this was odd because it became so sensationalized and exposed. I think exposure is the key element here. The judge involved let outside media to record and broadcast the findings and goings of the trial. Like any potential news story, broadcasters and investigators try to pry as much information to develop a story. The media had to do little other than let their cameras roll. The defendant, Jodi Arias, was also very friendly with the press. She agreed to do different interviews and responded well to cameras. She appealed well to the masses. This reminds me of the plot to musical Chicago. Jodi like Roxie did kill her partner, and they both used skills of charisma to sway the verdict their way. Both were very much guilty, but they hoped the verdict would be far less than first degree murder. The spectacle in this is its oddity. Women usually do not commit murders like this, and this definitely gravitated the attention of the public. This case is very similar to that of Lizzie Borden. Lizzie Borden essentially murdered her mother and father with an ax. The scene was gruesome and bizarre. The American public instantly became enthralled with the story. She, like Jodi, was very charismatic. She swayed the public into believing she shouldn't be convicted. Everyone believed she did it, but she was acquitted. Jodi was not acquitted, but the public did sympathize with her. There is so much her that attracted the world to this case.