The 2008 murder trial of Jodi Arias centered on the death of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander. The body of Alexander was discovered at his Arizona home, and at first, Arias claimed he had nothing to do with the murder. But there was proof connecting her to the location of the crime. There were allegations of a turbulent relationship and other sexual information, which helped propel the trial to national prominence.

Arias’s explanation shifted several times before she settled on self-defense. Graphic evidence, such as sexually explicit texts and photos, were presented in court. Arias’s first-degree murder conviction came in 2013. Domestic violence, manipulation, and the complexities of the legal system were all brought up in the trial, which served to demonstrate the power of the media and the public’s interest with real crime. As a high-profile murder trial, the Jodi Arias case continues to be an illuminating case study into the complexities of human nature and the criminal justice system.