PHOENIX -
The prosecutor in the Jodi Arias case is getting quite a following around the country because of his aggressive style in the courtroom.
The prosecutor's name is Juan Martinez. We've talked about him a lot over the last few months. Even before this case, he was known as a pit bull in the courtroom. But from here on out, he may be known as the most famous lawyer in Arizona.
Just about everyone watching the Arias trial has an opinion about prosecutor Juan Martinez's style. It's to the point, and it's aggressive.
"I'm not asking you about that."
"You still lied to him didn't you?"
"How is it that you are not remembering what you are saying?"
"Were you crying when you were shooting him? Were you crying when you stabbing him?"
But the bottom line is, a lot of people like it.
The veteran prosecutor has become a national celebrity. More than 11,000 people are on the Juan Martinez Facebook page. They say they like what they see.
"It's consumed my life, it's taking up a great deal of my time," says Jess Ismond.
Jess Ismond lives in New Mexico, and was immediately drawn to Martinez's courtroom performance, so she created the fan page.
"The main point is to show support for Juan Martinez. I welcome all opinions but if they are expressing any opinions against them we shut them down."
And yes -- she says Martinez knows about the site.
She even met the prosecutor in person when she traveled from New Mexico to be in court.
"He acknowledged it. I don't think he goes on it but he has people fill him in about it and he's flattered about it," says Ismond. "He just expressed how he couldn't say how good it made him feel, that there were so many supporters and that this page exists for him."
Martinez in court: "Why don't you know how to answer that, you are the one who brought it up?"
"I know he's received a lot of criticism about his style being aggressive, but I feel that there are many more people that see him as inspirational. People want to see justice happen," says Ismond.
Jodi Arias is facing the death penalty in this case. It's interesting to note –only one other woman from Maricopa County is on death row -- and the prosecutor who put her there was Juan Martinez.
Juan Martinez' fan page: www.facebook.com/ProsecutorJuanMartinezFanClub?ref=ts&fref=ts
