Elena Santa Cruz
Arizona Republic
It was a case that riveted the nation, was an international sensation, and put Maricopa County Superior Court under an intense spotlight.
The prosecution of Jodi Arias for the murder of her boyfriend Travis Alexander forged and destroyed reputations. Books, movies and careers were made. It was one of the biggest show trials since the acquittal of football legend O.J. Simpson.
On May 8, 2013, a jury on the fifth floor in the South Tower of the county court complex declared Arias guilty of first-degree murder. In the 10 years since, fates have been mixed for the key players in the saga.
Travis Alexander, 30, of Mesa, was fatally shot inside his east Mesa home.
The victim and his family: Travis Alexander
Alexander was a salesman and an aspiring motivational speaker who was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Arias for nearly two years. Originally from Riverside, Calif., Alexander moved to Mesa for business opportunities several years before his death while also hoping to build a life within a strong Mormon community.
Alexander’s family has not spoken much publically in the decade since Arias’ trial, however, a book titled “Our Friend Travis: The Travis Alexander Story” was published in 2015 by two of Alexander’s “good friends.”
Fans who were anti-Arias and supported Alexander have still shown support online for his life throughout the years with Facebook pages such as “Justice for Travis Alexander” and a multitude of podcast episodes on the murder.
