PHOENIX (AP) - Jurors told the judge they've been unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether Jodi Arias should be sentenced to life or death. The judge sent them back to deliberate, saying they should identify areas of agreement and disagreement as they work toward a decision. The deliberations come a day after Arias asked jurors to spare her life.
PHOENIX (AP) - An atheist lawmaker's decision to give the daily prayer at the Arizona House of Representatives triggered a do-over from a Christian lawmaker who said the previous day's prayer didn't pass muster. Republican Rep. Steve Smith said the prayer from Democratic Rep. Juan Mendez at the beginning of the previous day's floor session wasn't prayer at all. Mendez says his lack of religion shouldn't keep him from participating.
PHOENIX (AP) - Federal authorities say a Douglas man is accused of holding two Guatemalan sisters hostage for nine days, beating them and attempting to extort money from their family. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say 34-year-old Alejandro Beltran is charged with harboring people who aren't in the country legally for the purpose of private financial gain. Police found the sisters Sunday inside a travel trailer in north Douglas.
PHOENIX (AP) - A Phoenix police officer killed in a hit & run accident while at a DUI stop will be remembered Saturday. The department says the funeral service for Officer Daryl Raetz will be held at 9 a.m. at Christ's Church of the Valley in Peoria. Immediately following the service, Raetz, who died Sunday, will be interred at Phoenix Memorial Park.
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