Final Project Research Jamiah Riddick Walden University ✓ Solved

3 Final Project Research Jamiah Riddick Walden University

From the interview videos, I gained several insights that I can apply on my final project for this course. First, I learnt that it is essential to use current articles in a literature review. Sources published within 2 to 3 years are a good benchmark given that these sources tend to be more current and reflects the newest discoveries, theories, processes or most appropriate practices. Second, it is essential to take time to understand the problem being addressed in the literature review and also identifying the articles that best fit the study. Third, I learnt that when conducting a literature review it is essential to understand how to operationalize my study, by coming up with my own way of describing how the research was conducted.

Jodi Arias was the case I selected. My subtopic for this case will be on Battered Women Syndrome. I chose this topic because it really stood out to me, due to the suspense and detail of this case. I would like to dig into this case and explain why the details of this case do not fit the Battered Women Syndrome criteria. Jodi was convicted of murdering her boyfriend in April 2015.

In 2008, Jodi stabbed her boyfriend at least twenty-four times, slit his throat, and shot him in the head. Initially, Arias tried to place blame on intruders, stating that masked men broke into the house and attacked them both. However, they decided to only kill the boyfriend. During the investigation, police found her DNA in multiple places on the scene. Investigators decided to charge her for this crime.

She then confessed to killing her boyfriend, after she accused him of emotional and physical abuse. According to sources, Jodi’s 4-month trial began in January 2013, and she represented herself for 18 days. At first, the jury wasn’t able to agree on the sentencing of the charge. However, after two juries, she was sentenced to life in prison in April 2015.

Understanding the Battered Woman Syndrome

The Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) is a psychological condition that can develop in victims of persistent domestic abuse. It was first introduced in the 1970s and has since been defined as a subcategory of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Women suffering from BWS often display behaviors typical of trauma survivors, experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of self-worth (Walker, 1979). In Jodi Arias’s case, although she claimed to have suffered abuse at the hands of her boyfriend, the evidence contradicts her claims.

To understand if Jodi Arias qualifies under the Battered Woman Syndrome, one must analyze the nature of her relationship with her boyfriend. The criteria for BWS often include a pattern of emotional and physical abuse, fear of impending danger, and a belief that the victim cannot escape the situation (Browne, 1987). In Jodi’s case, her actions—specifically, the brutality with which she killed her boyfriend—raise questions about her mental state at the time of the murder and her claims of self-defense.

The nature of Jodi’s confession reveals inconsistencies. Initially, she portrayed herself as a victim, but the violent method of killing her boyfriend suggests a different narrative. Battered women typically do not engage in premeditated murder; rather, their actions are often impulsive reactions to immediate threats (Hamberger & Hastings, 1993). In Jodi's case, her detailed plans and the number of injuries inflicted on her ex-boyfriend contradict the essence of BWS, suggesting that the killing was not an act of self-defense but a calculated action driven by other motivations.

The Legal Implications of Battered Woman Syndrome

Legally, BWS can play a significant role in court, as it can provide a justification for a woman’s actions if she uses force against her abuser. However, for BWS to be admissible in court, the defendant must establish that they were indeed in a dire situation without feasible alternatives (Bennett et al., 1999). In Jodi's case, her violent act did not occur in a moment of immediate threat but was rather a series of aggressive actions during a confrontation. This leads to the conclusion that she cannot utilize the BWS defense effectively.

Court cases involving BWS often highlight the psychological turmoil experienced by women undergoing domestic abuse, but they also stress the importance of clear evidence supporting claims of historic and systematic violence. The lack of corroborated evidence regarding the abuse Jodi suffered significantly weakens her defense (Morris et al., 2006). Jury members are tasked with the responsibility of filtering through the defense testimonies to assess the credibility of claims made by defendants.

Analyzing the Evidence Presented in Trial

During her trial, Jodi Arias attempted to establish that her ex-boyfriend was abusive through various testimonies and her own accounts. However, much of the evidence suggested a far darker narrative. Text messages revealed a complex relationship dynamic, including instances of jealousy and conflict rather than a continuous pattern of abuse (Pelisek, 2013). This complexity presents an unsettling perspective on relationships often portrayed in domestic violence cases.

For instance, the forensic evidence indicated that Jodi’s actions were not those of a woman defending herself but rather of someone with intent to kill, given the multiple stab wounds and extreme brutality displayed in the murder of her boyfriend. Legal experts argue that such actions demonstrate a premeditated mindset, which is antithetical to the defensive reasoning applied in BWS cases (Browne et al., 1992).

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Jodi Arias claimed to be a victim of Battered Woman Syndrome, the details of her case lack the fundamental elements that support such a defense. The violence she inflicted during the murder presents a narrative driven by intention rather than panic or reacting in self-defense. Therefore, her conviction serves as a pivotal reminder of the complexities surrounding domestic violence cases and the necessity of clear evidence to substantiate claims of abuse.

References

• Bennett, L., Goodman, R., & Dutton, M. (1999). Battered Women in the Courts. New York: Routledge.
• Browne, A. (1987). When Battered Women Kill. New York: The Free Press.
• Browne, A., Williams, K., & Lorr, M. (1992). Intimate Partner Violence: Risk Factors and Implications for Law Enforcement. Policing: An International Journal.
• Hamberger, L. K., & Hastings, J. E. (1993). A Review of Treatments for Men Who Physically Abuse Their Partners. Journal of Family Violence.
• Morris, L., Varma, V., & Stokes, L. (2006). Understanding Battered Woman Syndrome and its Applications in the Courts. Journal of Criminal Law.
• Pelisek, C. (2013). Court report: Jodi Arias’s baffling defense strategy. The Daily Beast.
• Walker, L. E. (1979). The Battered Woman. New York: Harper & Row.