In a last-ditch but not altogether unexpected move today, the defense team of Jodi Arias made a motion to add the charge of "Manslaughter by sudden quarrel or heat of passion" as a lesser included jury instruction. The defense apparently believes they've been able to make a case for it, although I'm not seeing it unless...
Earlier in the trial, the defense fought to admit testimony from Dr.
Samuels regarding his interpretation of the crime scene photos.
According to Samuels, the photos "proved" the attack on Alexander was
not premeditated. Objecting on grounds of Daubert, Frye and lack of foundation -- i.e.
there is no scientific basis to support any such interpretation nor is
Samuels a crime scene expert -- the state successfully argued against
admission of the testimony.
The defense is also seeking permission to present a surrebuttal case to counter the testimony of state's witness, Dr. Janeen DeMarte. DeMarte, during the state's rebuttal case, effectively dismantled the testimony of Dr. Richard M. Samuels and Alyce LaViolette, mental health experts for the defense. HLN reports the defense wants to call Dr. Robert Geffner, founding President of the "Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma" (founded in 2005) as their surrebuttal witness. Oh lordy, lordy, here we go again with more red herrings about abuse and trauma.
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