Demeanor is a key element to understanding human behavior. In this video with Jodi Arias, we see a very different demeanor than the woman who was on the defense stand during her trial.
Do you hear a shy, timid girl who lets people tell her what to do? Or do you hear an in control woman who plans things meticulously to get her way?
You tell me…
Thank you to my readers who shared this with me.
Photo by Julie Kertesz
Jodi Arias was admitted to a psychiatric ward in Lower Buckeye jail some time after the verdict. Many people are speculating if this was another manipulation stunt by Jodi. I would say it is not.
I believe one of two things may have happened and agree with Dr. Drew when he suggested that when Jodi Arias said she preferred to die rather than serve out her natural life in prison, the warden of the jail may have very well put her on suicide watch as he is responsible for her life.
He also said that medical professionals have certain criteria they use before they lock someone up in the psych ward. I believe him in this regard as well.
Jodi Arias may have had a serious melt down for two reasons:
1. If she heard she was going to be transported to a psych ward because of what she said in her TV interview after the verdict, this would have caused Jodi to flip, because her “game” of saying she wanted death (when I really believe she didn’t) backfired on her, and bit her in the bum. She wouldn’t have anticipated this, and the lack of control she had at that point would have been nil, and she likely reacted and reacted violently.
or
2. When Jodi was finally left alone after the verdict, she may have realized that her life as she knew it was over, and again, the idea that she had no control could have caused her to flip mentally and/or physically. It’s very, very possibly.
People who suffer from Jodi’s disorder of psychopathy do not do well in situations where they lack all control. In trial, Jodi had a fair amount of control still, but since the verdict that has changed. She will no longer be able to influence people as easily as she did before– at least for a while. Granted, she will still try and she still will be able to do so, but her effectiveness will be less than ever before until she builds networks in prison.
Which on that note, I do believe that Jodi Arias is an extremely high risk prisoner. I think she has the highest propensity to escape from prison of any other suspect I have analyzed since Diane Downs. And Diane Downs, who shares Jodi’s sickness, has escaped and tried multiple times.
If I were to speak to Jodi Arias’ warden, I would strongly advise him to keep an extra hard watch on Jodi Arias through her entire time in prison. I would put the toughest guards on her who are least likely to fall for her manipulation–because Jodi can be extremely good at manipulating people (even though we haven’t witnessed it in court). I would not be surprised at all if she manipulates people who are clueless as she escapes beneath them.
While I haven’t seen much of Jodi’s after-conviction interview, I did see her talk about wanting the death penalty, and I don’t believe her for one minute.
I’m convinced this is another manipulation. Jodi believes if she tells the jury this, they will give her life in prison instead, which I believe is exactly what she wants.
Jodi doesn’t fear prison half as much as she says. She knows she can still masterfully manipulate many of the people in prison, she can go after appeals–she may even be arrogant enough to think she can escape–and its possible! She’s no dummy (thought she acted like it when cornered in court, I’ll give you that!). And I think she has a lot of revenge she wants to dish out as well.
I don’t believe for an instance that Jodi want to die, and she shows clues in her behavior when she says it too!
I just watched Jodi Arias as she was delivered her verdict. She looked quite hopeful prior to learning the jury’s verdict, but when it come out that they voted guilty for first degree murder, she gasped at first and then watched as each juror confirmed his or her vote.
After that, Jodi didn’t seem to be in shock. She seemed to have some sense this was likely–probably from hearing through her friends that the world saw through her. Justice was served today in the Jodi Arias case.
She is truly one of the most dangerous woman we have among us and I am happy she will at minimum be locked up!
You can read my original thoughts on Jodi Arias back in 2009 here.