Jodi Arias' legal bills have surpassed $2 million and are expected to only increase.
According to the Associated Press, the 33-year-old's bills are being funded by Arizona taxpayers for court-appointed attorneys, expert witnesses and other legal inclusions. The amount is expected to rise as Arias is currently awaiting a new penalty in order to decide her sentence.
Last May, Arias was convicted of murdering her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, who was found in his Arizona home in 2008. Alexander was reportedly stabbed 30 times with a knife and was then shot in the head. His throat was also deeply slit. In fact, some reports describe it as an attempt to decapitate him.
Arias denied any involvement, but was arrested two years later on suspicion of murder. Arias then admitted to killing Alexander in self-defense after he reportedly attacked her for dropping his camera. A jury failed to reach a verdict on her sentence.
A retrial is expected to begin on March 17 with a second panel of jurors, who will decide her sentencing. The former waitress and aspiring photographer will either be sentenced to life in prison or receive the death penalty.
Arias is currently being held in a jail in Maricopa County as her legal expenses continue to increase. Maricopa County spokesman Cari Gerchick told the AP that as of Monday the county has paid $2,150,536.42 in legal expenses associated with the case.
County attorney Bill Montgomery did not disclose how much it cost to prosecute the case, due to a court order preventing attorneys from discussing Arias-related matters.
If the second panel of jurors fails to reach a unanimous decision, the death penalty will no longer be considered an option.
