Following her murder conviction, Jodi Arias said that she would prefer death over life in prison however it seems as if she has changed her mind as she pleaded to the jury for life imprisonment on Tuesday. She asked the jury not to punish her family for her actions, according to USA Today.

Last week Arias became eligible for the death penalty when the jury decided that Travis Alexander's murder was committed in an "especially cruel manner."

While pleading to the jury for her life, Arias reflected on her previous comments to a reporter about wanting death over a lifetime in jail.

"Each time I said that, I meant it, but I Iacked perspective."

"Until very recently, I could not imagine standing before you and asking you go give me life," USA Today reported.

Arias said to the jury, "I cannot in good conscience ask you to sentence me to death, because of them," pointing to the family members, including her father.

"I think death is tantamount to suicide. Either way, I will spend the rest of my life in prison. It will either be shortened, or not. If it is shortened, the people who will be hurt is my family. I am asking, please, please, don't do that to them."

As previously reported, the judge suggested that the jury should consider other factors such as Arias lack of criminal record, and claims that she was a good friend before the make their final decision.

During her plea to the jury Arias held up a white T-shirt with the word "Survivor" written on it. She told the jury that she wanted to sell the clothing and donate the proceeds to charity.

She also told the jury that she was contrite over the way her trial has gained media attention and that she never meant to ruin the reputation of Alexander when she spoke about the "darker elements" of their relationship.

"To this day, I can hardly believe that I was capable of such violence, but I know that I was," Arias said. "And for that, I am going to be sorry for the rest of my life. Probably longer."

Court then went into recess follow her plea and is set to reconvene later on Tuesday afternoon.