Expert: Jodi Arias suffered from PTSD, memory loss - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports

http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/kpho/KPHO%20NEWS/Jodi%20Arias.jpg
UPDATE

Expert: Jodi Arias suffered from PTSD, memory loss

Posted: Updated:
Posted by Steve Stout - email
Posted by Breann Bierman - email
© CBS 5 © CBS 5
PHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -

Testimony in Jodi Arias' death penalty trial has concluded for the week after a defense witness said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Arias concluded 18 days of testimony on Wednesday, answering remaining questions from the jury and dueling with prosecuting attorney Juan Martinez about just how Travis Alexander was shot and stabbed the day he was killed in June 2008.

[WATCH ON CBS5AZ.COM: Live feed of Jodi Arias trial]

Arias' defense attorneys were supposed to get the chance to call more witnesses beginning at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Maricopa County Superior Court, but the judge delayed the start of testimony until the afternoon because of a prosecutor's objections to a defense expert witness.

Psychologist Richard Samuels, a defense expert, took the stand Thursday despite the prosecution's objections and Samuels said Arias suffers from acute memory loss and PTSD.

Prosecutor Juan Martinez objected to the defense calling Samuels to the stand, claiming he is not a medical doctor and shouldn't be allowed to testify about the brain's function under stressful circumstances.

Arias is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home. He was stabbed, had his throat slit and was shot in the head. Authorities claim Arias planned the attack on her lover in a jealous rage. Arias claims it was self-defense. She says she recalls firing the gun but doesn't remember much else.

Arias testified over nearly six weeks on the witness stand before concluding her testimony on Wednesday.

Last week, jurors posed about 220 questions to Arias making it clear they aren't satisfied with her explanations. Arizona law allows jurors to quiz defendants through written questions read aloud by the judge. The panel had about 10 more questions Wednesday.

Stay with cbs5az.com for updates on this developing story.

Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

  • UPDATEExpert: Jodi Arias suffered from PTSD, memory loss

  • Monday, May 20 2013 3:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:40:13 GMT
    Jodi Ann Arias stands accused of shooting, stabbing and slitting the throat of her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in June 2008.
    Jodi Ann Arias stands accused of shooting, stabbing and slitting the throat of her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in June 2008.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 10:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:56:56 GMT
    MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water.      Trooper Mark Francis
    The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water.

  • Friday, May 24 2013 12:31 AM EDT2013-05-24 04:31:35 GMT
    LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad has asked his men and women to wear mourning bands for a former officer shot in the line of duty. It was more than four decades ago when
    Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad has asked his men and women to wear mourning bands for a former officer shot in the line of duty.  It was more than four decades ago when Detective Bobby Branham was critically wounded.  His widow, Mary Carroll Burnett tells us, her husband had a lot of scar tissue from multiple surgeries after the 1972 shooting and those complications led to his death May 14.

  • Friday, May 24 2013 12:28 AM EDT2013-05-24 04:28:07 GMT
    The Kentucky State Fair Board is waiting to hear from the state's Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction on how safe or unsafe Cardinal Stadium may be.
    The Kentucky State Fair Board is waiting to hear from the state's Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction on how safe or unsafe Cardinal Stadium may be.
    •