Jodi Arias verdict: Holdout juror given security after name was leaked online

Juror Emily Cova, who voted to spare the life of convicted murderer Jodi Arias, was given security after her name was leaked in social media on March 6.

No threats had been reported against any of the 12 jurors, authorities said. However, the lone holdout on the death penalty had requested the security after her name was posted on social media.

Prosecutors also said they are examining whether the holdout disclosed that her husband had been prosecuted by the same county attorney who headed the case against Jodi Arias.

Jodi Arias was convicted of murder in 2013 but that jury deadlocked on her punishment.

Prosecutors say Jodi Arias killed her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander as revenge because he wanted to date other women and was planning a trip to Mexico with his latest love interest.

The name of the holdout juror in the sentencing retrial was leaked through a Twitter account that also posted sympathetic comments about Jodi Arias’ victim Travis Alexander.

Meanwhile, a pro-Arias website published names of 11 people it said were the jurors who voted to sentence Jodi Arias to death for the 2008 killing.

A mistrial was declared on March 5 and a judge will sentence Jodi Arias on April 13 to life in prison or life with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

Arizona law prohibits the public release of juror names. It’s unknown how the identities were leaked, but information appeared online after jurors who favored the death penalty expressed frustrations over the holdout.

Juror Emily Cova said she was relieved to hear that authorities were looking into the leak.

“I was a little nervous last night. But I’m feeling better now,” said Emily Cova, who agreed to be named.

Aaron Nash, a spokesman for the clerk of Maricopa County Superior Court, said no member of the clerk’s staff reported being approached by anyone seeking the names of jurors.

“The office’s primary concerns are the safety and privacy of these individuals who responded to this difficult and lengthy call to public service,” Aaron Nash said in a statement.

Most of the jurors discussed their deliberations with the media on March 5. However, the holdout hasn’t publicly commented.

Jodi Arias will remain in the Estrella Jail in west Phoenix as she testifies in a civil case. Further information on the matter wasn’t immediately available.

Once her testimony is complete, Jodi Arias will be sent to prison.

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