Prosecutor Scrutinized For Intense Approach During Testimony

Story here. Excerpt:

'He raised his voice and acted out scenarios in dramatic fashion. He snapped as she dodged questions, cutting her off mid-sentence. Arias held her own periodically, appearing to smugly toy with Martinez as she smirked and repeatedly answered yes or no questions with "sure" and "I guess."

The exchanges rattled the seasoned prosecutor as the case at times devolved into a showdown of wit and will. The judge had to admonish both to stop speaking over each other.

"I think I'm more focused on your posture and your tone and your anger so it's hard to process the questions," Arias told Martinez.
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Some experts say the approach could undermine the prosecution's case, diverting attention from the brutal attack and putting the spotlight on him. Others compliment his tenacity as a no-nonsense tactic aimed at stumping Arias and getting her off script after having several years in jail to rehearse her testimony.
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It's a prosecutor's dream case largely based on Arias' own actions and repeated lies. She dumped the gun in the desert, got rid of her bloody clothes, tried to clean the scene at Alexander's home and even left the victim a voicemail on his mobile phone within hours of killing him and dragging his body into the shower.
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"And if the jury comes back with death, it won't be because of Juan Martinez. It will be in spite of him," said Phoenix defense attorney Mel McDonald, a former Maricopa County judge and federal prosecutor.
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Alexander had been stabbed and slashed 27 times, had his throat slit and was shot in the forehead.
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California criminal defense attorney Michael Cardoza, who has been following the case, said that while Martinez's approach may have turned off some jurors who see a fragile woman on the witness stand, regardless of the heinous nature of the killing, his toned-down style on his final day of questioning Arias on Thursday sealed the deal.
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As she described her efforts to avoid suspicion, Arias buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Martinez continued to press her. He later turned to the judge and simply said "I don't have anything else," then unassumingly returned to his chair.'