PHOENIX (AP) — The homicide prosecutor who won convictions in the Jodi Arias murder case and other notorious killings in metro Phoenix has been reassigned to handle auto thefts.
FILE – AZ v. ARIAS: Prosecutor Juan Martinez questions psychotherapist Alyce Laviolette on the stand during the Jodi Arias trial in 2013. Arias faced the death penalty for the murder of her lover, 30-year-old Travis Alexander. (COURT TV)
Chief Deputy County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement Tuesday night that Deputy County Attorney Juan Martinez’s reassignment gives Martinez time and flexibility to resolve attorney ethics allegations pending against him.
However, Mitchell said to avoid delaying justice that Martinez will still handle some homicide cases already assigned to him.
Mitchell also said the reassignment doesn’t indicate she’s prejudging the ethics proceedings’ outcome.
Martinez did not immediately respond Wednesday to an emailed request for comment.
Arias is serving a life sentence after her first-degree murder conviction in the killing of Travis Alexander.
Mitchell is the acting head of the County Attorney’s Office.
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Watch Court TV’s gavel-to-gavel coverage from the Jodi Arias here:
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