Jodi Arias’ fight against the death penalty was delayed yet again this week, after one of her jurors was arrested!
Melissa Lenette Garcia was Juror #3, one of 12 citizens who would decide if Jodi Arias should die, but now she’s a defendant in her own criminal case.
Maricopa County jail records show Garcia, 36, was arrested on November 28, the day after Thanksgiving.
Her mugshot is online on inmate search websites, but no other details about her case were published.
Court watchers initially speculated she was removed from jury duty because of scheduling conflicts as the trial dragged on, with prospects of testimony continuing into January.
Garcia is the latest juror to get the old heave-ho. Another was removed after she spoke to a reporter during a court break in October.
The mystery witness who testified for several days in secret last month turned out to be Arias herself. It is unclear if she will return to the witness stand to complete her testimony in open court.
