Jodi Arias loses bid to put sentencing retrial on hold

PHOENIX - Convicted murderer Jodi Arias has lost a bid to put her sentencing retrial on hold while she appeals a court's ruling over the public's access to her trial.

The denial Thursday by the Arizona Supreme Court means a transcript of Arias' closed-door testimony on Oct. 30 is one step closer to being released.

Earlier Thursday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens said she wouldn't rule on a request by news organizations to release a transcript of the closed-door testimony until after the state's high court chimed in on Arias' request to pause the trial.

Arias was convicted of murder last year in the 2008 death of former boyfriend Travis Alexander, but jurors deadlocked on whether she should be sentenced to life in prison or receive the death penalty. A new jury was picked to decide her sentence.

Stephens closed the courtroom to the public during the testimony of Arias' first defense witness, who was later revealed to be Arias herself. The judge had explained that the move was necessary because the then-secret witness was skittish and wouldn't testify unless the hearing was closed to the public.

An appeals court threw out Stephens' ruling closing the courtroom and ordered transcripts of Arias' testimony to be released. Arias' attorneys are appealing that decision.

Meanwhile, Stephens allowed a witness on behalf of Arias to testify Thursday under a pseudonym.